Marrow or Joints?

Would you rather hear a doctor say "You have a serious problem with you marrow" or "You have a serious problem in your joints?" This is not a tough question if you have ever watched someone with a bone marrow problem struggle to overcome it.

People who have joint problems certainly suffer and they long for relief. Even so, most joint issues are not life and death. A marrow issue touches a human being to the core and is life threatening.

With this contrast in mind listen to these wonderful verses from Hebrews 4:11-13

Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

In our spiritual formation retreats I use this passage to clarify what teaching on abiding is designed to do and what it is not designed to do. Our retreat is not about "marrow cures" or "spirit" treatment. Our retreat is about the treatment of " injured joints" and "limping souls."

I tell people who come to our retreats "The exams are back! Your have no problem in your marrow! Your problem is in your joints and your limping can be cured by the presence of Jesus in your spirit."

In spiritual formation we must listen to God's word as it divides soul and spirit. If not, we will treat the wrong problem in Christians.

Christians do not have a spirit problem any longer. They have been sealed by the Holy Spirit. They are eternally connected to the Spirit of Christ. They have the entire Christian life abiding in them right now.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1

...who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. II Corinthians 1:22

Spiritual formation or discipleship is not about increasing our spiritual guarantee. What is sealed by God is guaranteed forever. Marrow (spirit) will never be our issue again! The blood of Jesus has healed our marrow (spirit) forever.

Spiritual formation and abiding is about allowing the power of this permanent Spirit cure to become the source of our soul's cure, too. Because of the presence of Jesus in our spirit, the constant pain and limping of our soul can be cured.

My friend Mike Wells says this "There is nothing that the presence of Jesus cannot cure." I love that! I like to say "There is no limp that cannot find rest in Jesus"

Our souls include our mind, emotion and will. We limp when our mind, emotions and will are not all functioning together restfully. This harmonious rest will happen if we will allow the cure of our soul by Jesus' Spirit to gently train us to walk in love again.

Listen now to these words of Jesus in Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Yoked to the fountain of His presence in your spirit the limping in your mind, emotions can and will stop. When the limping of your soul stops, you will be able to love without interruption. You will bear much fruit.

Jesus already sees you fully cured. Believe Him.