- … fullness in sexual pleasure, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in food, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in relationships, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in position, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in positions of power, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in money, toys, things, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in music, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in obedient children, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in a good marriage, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in ministry favor, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in job promotion, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in vacation time, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in a cup of coffee, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in like–minded thinkers, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in political partisanship, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in hobbies, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in alcohol, drugs, pain–killers, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in attaboys, but not satisfaction…
- … fullness in seeing–others–fail, but not satisfaction…
The human–made in the image of very God–was not meant to be satisfied by the creation or any experience therein.
God’s design from the beginning was that His highest creation–His vice-regent–would be satisfied in Him and Him alone. A relationship that was built upon complete…
- Exposure…
- Authenticity…
- Nakedness…
- Trust…
The problem…is…our first parents…lost their senses.
Like them…we too have lost our senses…even the Children of God. They (we) battle daily against the flesh, which seeks its satisfaction in the creation. We suppress…the truth…in unrighteousness. We close our eyes to the paradoxes of the Christian faith…and we succumb. The tragedy is…we walk away from discipleship…we wander as we wonder…we fall. I’ve seen this over and over in ministry. The fall isn’t some fleecing of a trickster-deity…no, no…
“…because what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse.”
Romans 1:19-20
People intrinsically know–call it moral-oughtness–and yet they (we) still choose to find, seek, desire, long for, hope for satisfaction in things that are mere creation(s)…
“For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.”
Romans 1:21-23
What’s the sad, tragic, frightening, chilling, inexorable result…in continued rebellion…continued suppression of truth…continued seeking of satisfaction in the creation is, “…not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done..”
God gives over…God gives over…God gives over. Over to the utter passions of the flesh…to eat at its table of putridity. But, that’s not the final word…
God, o glory to our God, does not leave us in this sad and desperate place. No, no, he said…
“…I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.”
John 10:10b
He takes us to a different table to feast…
Notice, Jesus didn’t say, “I have come to make you full…” He said, “…I have come that you may life.” He says, “…I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats from this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” What was He saying?
He goes on to say…
““I tell you the solemn truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in yourselves. The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood resides in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so the one who consumes me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the bread your ancestors ate, but then later died. The one who eats this bread will live forever.””
Jesus calls us to the satisfaction of a spiritual feast. A feast built on faith, not physical fullness. That’s why He says later, “The Spirit is the one who gives life; human nature is of no help! The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”
Jesus’ call is to walk by the Spirit and not the flesh in faith…trust. To find satisfaction in…a disciplined obedience to His Word…fear of the Lord.
“The person who has my commandments and obeys them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him.””
John 14:21
The application…
“For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps. He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth. When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed.”
1 Peter 1:21-24