AHORROS ESTIMADOS

Whether or not we will follow through on what God knows and has revealed is a matter of choice, plain and simple. Justification is reserved for those who follow through. The Shepherd has a table for only the sheep that will follow through the valley of the shadow of death. Jacob knew the repercussions of stealing Esau’s blessing. He must have weighed the pros and cons. On the pro-side, he would have to give up the comfort of his life with the possible risk of loosing his very life. On the con-side, he could preserve the status quo. He could stay in his mother’s kitchen, unknown to his father. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak: His spirit kicked to run but his flesh counted the cost as he debated his mother’s urgings. In the end, he lost his life and won.

The same dilemma dramatically confronted another generation: The Joshua generation. Having wondered in the scorching heat (albeit covered with the cloud of glory) of the wilderness the children of Israel were offered their greatest opportunity: The chance to enter the promise land. Spies were sent to survey the land and report back to an expectant mass of people. The majority of the spies returned with a losers report (Numbers 13:3-20). They conclude on impossibilities (Numbers 13:27-30). They balanced the ledger citing the goodness but exclaiming the danger. With persuasive maneuvers they convinced the entire mass of Israel to backtrack on the venture. But there is another side to the report. Two lone voices, Joshua and Caleb, speaking with fanatic resolve urged the masses with courageous calls

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to enter the land. They tear the garments and pronounce that the enormity of their ability is more than suited to the task at hand. They assure the masses that God will yield victory to them against the giants in the land (Numbers 14:6-9). In the end, the cowards took the day and God infuriated at their fear and disbelief invoked a cruel judgment: None of them, with the exception of Caleb and Joshua, would see the Promised Land. They will all die in the wilderness (Numbers 14:27-30).

Just too many die at the valley of indecision. Most losers can trace their misfortune to this point in their life where they failed to make a decision or made the wrong choice (usually presented as the easier choice). The writer of the Proverbs castigates importunity when he observes that the sluggard does not plough in season so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing (Proverbs 20:4). Again he warns that laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry (Proverbs 19:15). In other words, one must avoid the “easy” ways and choose the means that will make a difference in their life. It all comes down to making the right choices. Joshua and Caleb avoided the easy route of complaining, blaming and murmuring and chose the means that would make the difference for Israel. Notice that in their convictions they did not dwell so much on the theology of their convictions. I am convinced that there is a time after walking the talk of faith that one is consumed by the mind of God. At this point, the plan that rules the heart is the purpose that prevails in heaven. Such people know they are winners and no obstacle on their way will convince them

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otherwise. Having embraced God’s will for their life the rest is left to time and effort. As such, the diligent knows he is a winner. He goes for it. On the other hand, is the sluggard clouded in fear, inertia and defeat. And both are right: The one that says “I can” and the one that says “I cannot.” It is all a matter of choice. They receive their expectations according to their faith.

IDENTITY

A comic but profound story is given in the book of Acts concerning the seven sons of a priest called Sceva. Having observed Paul’s ministry and his authority over demons in the name of Jesus they sought to cast out evil spirits from a demoniac. The demons in the man remarked, “Paul we know and Jesus we know, but who are you?” before thoroughly disarming the young imitators and beating them thoroughly (Acts 19:14-16). The lesson in the story is often missed. I do not think the essence of the account demonstrates the knowledge of the demons or any absence of power on the part of the imitators. Rather, the problem was chiefly one of identity. The young men simply did not know who they were. They had no testimony or experience. Real winners may be known by their good scores but that is not their sum total. The latter is where the true identity lies while the former is a publicity façade. As such, what you may know about the winner is only a partial reality of what he/she may be aware concerning themselves. So while we celebrate/envy the triumph the winner knows that his

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victory is a process and not an event. It is this process that defines his identity and not merely the actual event. The sons of Sceva sought to imitate the accomplishments of Paul and Jesus without carrying their cross. They wanted the triumph minus the trial. In other words, they were faking. And what is amazing is that the devil knows the real from the fake. The Paul they sought to imitate bore both pain and power. He had a testimony. The Jesus whose name they invoked gave up, came down, and gave all, before He arose in great power. Both while focusing on the end pressed through all circumstances to ensure their victory.

It is characters like these that own to self. Job in his misery confessed, “I know that my redeemer lives” (Job 19:25). Paul was never shy of an introduction that included both his esteemed position as an apostle of Christ but also the trials of his call among the gentiles (2 Corinthians 6:3-13). And Jesus publicly spoke of who He was (John 8:12). In my other book, “The Value of a Name” I deal exhaustively with the importance of ones true identity and how this facilitates winning in life. For one, knowing ones true identity renders a sense of freedom to an individual. It allows one to freely unlock ones potentials and to pursue ones highest ideals. It also enables one to be free from the trappings of public opinion. Finding out who you are liberates one to explore immeasurable potentials and guarantees one of divine packages God has commissioned to ones true self. I sincerely believe that there is a miracle with your name on it that will only actuate when you find out who you really are.

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Jacob learnt this in time. He saw God’s favor on him in spite of negative events. Something profound happened when God named him Israel, which meant he had fought with God and won. From then own, a lone fugitive with a loser mentality ceased to hibernate in fear and insecurities. He became increasingly aware of the significant role God had cut out for him. He sensed destiny and divinity had mingled to transform him from a run away brother to a father of a

nation. It did not matter any more that Esau hated him or

that he’d been cheated by his uncle or even that his father never cared for him. What was of concern was that he fulfilled the will of the one who had called him. It is that Jacob who at his deathbed sensed the grave need to anoint his sons one by one. Unbothered by the failures of all his children with the exception of Joseph, this veteran of struggle saw his rebirth as a nation according to the promise of God who had revealed to him who he was.

Its application to us today can be gathered from the theology of Paul who was an authority in these matters. In his letter to the saints in Rome the apostle states that though God loved Jacob he hated Esau (Romans 9:13). In those times the election was highly restricted. Today, we live in a period of abounding grace – whosoever will (John 6:37). In the new covenant you too can choose. Elect your victory. Elect your triumph. Treasure the score in your heart and move through the events of life assured of your glorious end. Just like in a functioning democracy, after the election the events are secondary. An elected leader rules through his term no matter the events. While the events may sway public opinion the election sustains popular rule. Let the opinions

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of others change but keep your election. Moreover, your identity has better possibilities under the covenant of Christ. In Him, there is now no more condemnation for all the old passes away and the new comes (2 Corinthians 5:17). Paul was speaking for all believers when he said that we are more than conquerors in Christ (Romans 8:31). My beloved friend, you can be assured that in Him you can do all things as He strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).