Christian Living
"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:19-23)
I have blogged a lot lately, concerning my dream world. I'm not really certain, at this stage of my retirement pastime, if these occurrences are dreams of my sleep or visions coming while awake. Or, could they just be modern day parables, placed in my mind by God the Father, in driving home a particular biblical point of view ? In any event, they do merely cone to mind, from time to time, without any prior explanation.
And just maybe, the Father is attempting to get my attention. If so, I pray that I will not only listen but understand His will for my life, and reply. (Psalm 27:8). So, here goes another blog. Another dream or maybe another vision, whatever the case may be.
I had just arrived at our local airport, to catch a flight in my job, and had approached the outside baggage check station. When suddenly, as if out of nowhere, this well mannered baggage clerk interrupted me in my tracks. He was very polite, but business orientated and directly to the point, in his remarks.
He hurriedly grabbed hold of the many suitcase that I had placed on the baggage cart, remarking that I had too much baggage. That I would have to give up some of my luggage. "Which ones did I want to let go", he continued. I guess he observed my demeanor, probably because of the puzzled look on my face, as he again told me some baggage had to go.
He mentioned that my bags were too heavy. That the heavy ones needed to be left behind. And that it was very important, as to which ones I would keep.
And then He told me to check the bags, that I decided to keep, at the check end desk, rather than taking them into the airport lobby station.
And then the baggage handlers very last word was for me to be sure and not include the enemies bags, in my journey. This final remark I failed to understand.
However, at that point, in our conversation, I realized he was serious in his controlling authority, so I commenced to decide which bags I needed to keep and which I could let go. However, I didn't get very far in my choice of baggage separation. For you see, suddenly and without warning, this baggage handler just mysterious disappeared from my sight.
I then looked around, and all the other baggage checkers were transacting "business as usual", as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Rather strange behavior I might add, as one of their staff had just suddenly disappeared, for no reason.
Nonetheless, simultaneously to my starting my baggage separating, I happen to notice each suitcase had a big tag that just seemed to carry a certain glow.
Ironically, the tags on the suitcases that I intended to keep had a pure white glow about them displaying such collective catchphrases as "Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Goodness, Self Control , Goodness, etc". While the suitcases that I had decided to let go all had dull dark black tag's, displaying such slogans a "Impurity, Strife, Jealousy, and Anger", etc.
I don't mind telling you, I was puzzled yet again. Just where had I heard these particular watchwords ? Just who was it that had placed these tags on my luggage ? And what had happened to that nice baggage handler that told me I had to much baggage and that I had to give some up ?
Well, just as all my other dreams or vision, I suddenly woke up, not knowing the outcome of my flight. Or if I really was going to take a flight. Nonetheless, the meaning of it all suddenly became obvious, as if by spiritual revelation or divine impute.
Like the nice baggage clerk pointed out, the many bags represented the many works of the flesh. And the heavy load was indicative of the weight of sin in our lives. Galatians 5:19-21)
The separation of baggage represented life's choice between good and evil. Our choice should be the separation of the works of the flesh, from the works of the spirit. (Galatians 5:16-26)
The important decision, as to what baggage to keep and what to let go, represented the believers choice to either walk by the Spirit or carry out the desires of the flesh.
You see, The Spirit, always gives victory over the flesh and it's works, by way of the work of the cross .(Galatians 5:24-25). Whereas, the works of the flesh, however, emphasizes, the deeds of the flesh (or Satan) to be evident. (Galatians 5:19) In other words, this evidence appears to be plain or open with overtones of being unashamed and blatant.
The baggage clerk's giving instruction to check the baggage kept at the front check desk, rather than taking the luggage into the lobby, represented not carrying our sinful baggage with us through our life's journey. You see, we should not carry our former burdens with us.( Isaiah 43:18-19), as sin is actually baggage. (Ephesians 4:31-32)
Then, finally the last words of the baggage handler represented (Galatians 5:26). Christians should never resolve to carry Satan's baggage by becoming boastful, and envious of one another.
In closing. simply, search your heart and pray that God would reveal to you the proper baggage that you should be carrying. (Psalm 139:23-24)
Author's Postscript
Here comes today's modern day Christian airport traveler. Carrying that briefcase of guilt, and the suitcase of discontent. Having an army duffel bag of weariness on one shoulder and a suit bag of grief draped over the other shoulder. A backpack of doubt and overnight bag of loneliness. As the baggage handler had previously said, "Let them go". (Hebrews 12:1)
No wonder this modern day Christian is so tried, in life's travel. So, how do we Christians' get rid of so much excess baggage, Simply just let it go. (Matthew 11:28) Just give it up to the Lord. (Psalm 55:22)
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