Re: Submit to One Another

A certain friend posed this question: "Can we truly allow another believer to 'bear our burderns' if we do not open ourselves up and allow him access to the depths of our being?" (Re: Submit to One Another)

No, I really think it's not possible. Sadly, though, I'm not sure we're willing to....unless..... we've heard from God what He thinks of us with our fig leaves removed, standing totally exposed before Him. It's probably the most mystical, vulnerable thing we can do. And I think it has something to do with the process of being rescued from darkness and the despair of evil (what fundamentalism calls "saved" or "salvation" or maybe "rededication").

Uh, here's what I mean. A mentor-friend of mine taught me that grace means to stand totally exposed yet be totally accepted. A few years ago, I tasted this grace for the first time in the journey. I think he's pretty close. See, what caused Adam and Eve to shamefully hide in the garden now is cause for us to fall into the arms of our Rescuer, Jesus.

Because as ugly as my hidden life had become, I was convinced in my shame to hide myself from God and man. But, finding clues that His heart was good, I surrendered. And, I myself am totally exposed before God, yet totally accepted. I am bewildered by the truth that we, being His children, have everything we need to be victorious in the painful struggle against sin and the evil one. But here's the heart of my battle, the choice I must make daily in this struggle: Is my reputation (what other people think of my greatness) more valuable to me than the health of the body, and becoming a man like Jesus in His death that I might live like him through His life? I finally made the choice to take the road less traveled, and I assure you, it is terribly painful. But, it is totally worth it. I know the truth of who I really am...I am strong, and I have overcome the evil one (see 1 John 2:14). God makes me strong for the sake of my brothers and sisters also on the journey. But, I am strong because I am weak. I am only strong because I'm not alone in this battle/journey. I need brothers and sisters who can wield the sword and take up the shield of faith beside me, especially when I can't. And I cannot, and neither can you, unless we know (are convinced of) who we really are--knowing the power of being accepted by our heavenly Father, knowing Christ as our brother and perfect high priest, and above all, knowing the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.

It's all in the journey. Are we ready for it? The the health of the Church depends on it. Hey, there really is a battle underway for middle-earth.

So, we're to confess our sins to one another, because we struggle and desperately need healing. We're to bear one another's burdens, because Jesus bore our shame on the cross and we have nothing left to hide.

So, no, to answer the question, I don't think it's possible. We can't allow another believer to 'bear our burderns' if we do not open ourselves up and allow him access to the depths of our being. We cannot open ourselves and grant one another access to the depths of our being until we know the Truth, and the Truth sets us free. What can we possibly be waiting for?