It’s still probably one of my most favorite ‘word pictures’ or analogies that I have shared here on more than one occasion. You’ll remember it...the one about the old man who lived off in the backwoods by himself and was not too keen on modern conveniences and such. He cut all his firewood with an old metal bow saw, until it crumpled in his hands one day and was rendered useless. So he makes the long ride in to town where a young salesman at the hardware store convinces him to purchase a new chain saw that the man was unfamiliar with; but he decides to give it a try.

Several days later, the old man returns to the store, and nearly throws the ‘useless’ device back into the hands of that salesman complaining how it did him no good at all. Puzzled, the young salesman takes the saw, flips a switch and pulls the draw-cord as the engine fires up, spewing out exhaust smoke right there in the store. Startled, the old man jumps back totally puzzled and wants to know what that ‘noise’ is.

That, my friends, pretty well sums up where so many of us ‘believers’ have ‘gotten it wrong’ and fallen short in living out this Christian walk where we are truly abiding in Christ and overcoming ALL sin...by the power of His Spirit and grace. (1 John 3:6,9; 5:18; Tit. 2:11-14; Rom. 8:11). It has led to much discouragement and frustration for so many sincere believers who have worn themselves ragged...’trying harder to do better’ in their pursuit of living a life of ‘holiness’.(1 Pet. 1:15-16; 2 Cor. 7:1)  And dare I remind us all that ‘without holiness, no man shall see the Lord’? (Heb. 12:14; Matt. 5:8)

We have failed to take to heart, the declaration made by the prophet Zechariah who God spoke through in proclaiming: “It’s not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit...says the Lord of hosts!” (4:6). How much longer do we want to ‘circle that mountain’ as we try to ‘get it right’ in our own strength and feeble efforts? (Deut. 2:3) (or cutting firewood with a chainsaw that has not been turned on)

Moses made it clear to that group who were about to go in and possess the land that God had waiting for them, a land where He wanted to bless them, give them rest and peace from all their enemies, and to keep ALL sickness and disease off them...that there were some formidable foes on the land. These enemies were stronger and mightier than them and more in number, but no need to worry...God was with them and would give them the overcoming ‘power’ ...to prevail against them all...so long as they took heed to what He told them to do.(Heb. 2:1) Otherwise, their enemies would prevail against them... as punishment.

Fast-forward to today, a different time and setting, but God has not changed. We have a land to possess (our defiled hearts) and we have enemies that need to ‘come off the land’. We have spirits of greed, pride, lust, anger, envy, bitterness, etc...that reside in us and God wants them ‘off the land’ ...and our hearts made pure. (1 Tim. 1:5). And trust me, you nor I can see this carried out unless we are abiding in Jesus and totally surrendered to His will and Lordship. (John 15:4-5) Why call Him Lord if we are not going to do the things He says? (Luke 6:46)

I’ve said it before and will say it again: We don’t even begin this process of ‘abiding’ and then ‘sanctifying’ until we lay our whole heart at His feet and surrender completely to Him.

I’m sorry if you don’t agree with that nor believe it, but I’m telling you the God honest, gospel-truth here. You may have started out saying, ‘Lord, Lord’, (Matt. 7:21) but there will be a ‘wilderness place of testing’ where God will see how serious you really are about following Him. (Deut. 8:2; 1 Thess. 2:4). We know all about that rich young ruler in Matt. 19 who failed that test and walked away; and Jesus let him walk.

I like to refer to this ‘wilderness’ experience as a spiritual ‘boot-camp’ that anyone associated with the military would be familiar with. Long before you ever get in the pilot seat of a black-hawk attack chopper, or at the controls of a nuclear submarine, there is a testing and a refining that takes place. Many never finish the course. But Jesus did, who is our example and only after He proved to the Father that He was 'in all the way'...that it was then...He was endued with power from on high...to actually go out and do the work of God. (Luke 4:14). And this would be the same ‘work’ that He has commissioned us to do as well. (John 14:12-14). We just failed to learn that we had to be tested first, and pass... just as He did.