Pits Along the Road to Glory

The Spirit-controlled life is not a wild, reckless, fanatical approach to life's problems. Rather it is the recognition that no man can ascend the hill of God under his own steam. The Kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom, not a political kingdom. Good ideas are not enough. We must have the mind of God, the sensitivity of God, the vision of God, the gift of God, in order to achieve our goals and fulfill our dreams. That does not come through training, it comes by faith, obedience to His commands, and abiding in His presence.Everything that comes into the life of a Christian is designed to help him mature, to draw closer to God. That is the purpose of all circumstances and events. But in order to come into the presence of God, we must come on His terms.Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol, or swear by what is false. He will receive his blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior (Psalm 24:3-5). The final approach to the throne always seems to be the most difficult. Most of us spend more time ascending and descending than we do abiding. Our great resolutions to do better nearly always wind up with a terrible fall, meaning we have to start all over again. But the road to the top is not only difficult because of bandits, tempters, or deceivers. Rather it is the pits beside the road which hold the greatest threat. It is blocked with gates and bordered by deep pits waiting to consume us. Only those who are under constant control of the Holy Spirit will arrive. Perhaps I can best describe what I mean through a diagram of a mountain. (See diagram at beginning of book). On the summit is the glory of God. But coming up the mountain is a steep road. It is blocked by three gates and bordered by six pits. Yet it is the path of every man who seeks the abiding presence of God . . .