I recently heard a phrase from a speaker that stuck in my mind. He spoke of repentance as “agreeing with God.” This reminded me of Thomas Merton. The false self has a pretty high opinion of itself generally. The idea that you are sinful and need a savior does not fit his view of himself. You have a fundamental disagreement with reality. In agreeing with God you are agreeing with his reality and not the twisted view of the ego. You are shedding the deception of the enemy and accepting the truth. You are trusting God’s assessment of yourself and rejecting the lies and masks that you have created.
This helps clarify what Salvation is. It is accepting his view of yourself and
asking him for help in your need.
Salvation becomes establishing a relationship with the transcendent truthteller. It allows you to begin to see reality and see
the world and yourself as you really are.
This is a total change in your perspective and must occur to enter into
reality. Unless you know you need him, a
relationship with him is an option. Once
you see the truth you know you have to have him for soul survival. You realize that it is not about you and that
you are not self-sufficient.
After many years on this journey, I realize that am dependent
on Him for all that is good in my life.
I can only make a mess without His help.
When I trust in Him, he leads me to all truth (Jn 16:13) and keeps the reality about myself and the world around
me intact. He clarifies my vision and
exposes my deception. He shows me the
path ahead and gives me a realistic perspective as I navigate the journey. It is the key to my survival as I travel the
rugged path of life. When I was in High School,
I traveled to Ecuador on a missions trip.
My journey took me on a road trip into the Andes Mountains. When I looked out of the bus window all I
could see was a view of the thousands of feet below and could not see the road
at all. I had no choice but to trust the
driver. He could see the road ahead and
had been down that road before. Your
journey will take you to places that are treacherous and fraught with
danger. Your saving grace will be the
presence of your savior speaking the truth and keeping you firmly in reality. It is your only hope in navigating the path
and not slipping off the road.
Each one of us needs the truth spoken by the transcendent
truthteller. It all begins with agreeing
with Him” and acting on that truth. He
promises to be there for you the whole way of the journey and to lead you
safely until your last breath. “He will never leave you or forsake you” (Deut. 31:8). The Psalmist David says with confidence, “Even
though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with
me…” (Psalm 23:4). This confidence comes
from knowing and trusting the truthteller.
He will be with you. You have no
reason for fear.