A Holy Tension

As we worshipped, one phrase continued circulating in my mind: "Holy Tension." Tension, in physics, is caused by a pulling, not pushing, force. Many within the Body of Christ are currently feeling this tension. This uncomfortable tension is of God, as the Holy Spirit tugs on our hearts, causing a separation of light from dark, godly from ungodly, eternal from temporal, and sacred from the profane.

Interestingly, when the volume is constant in physics, the tension is proportional to the temperature. This is important because Christ makes it clear He will spew the lukewarm out of His mouth (Rev. 3:16), and if there is no tension in our lives, it is an indicator of coldness or lukewarmness. A couple of Sundays ago, our son, Sam, had a word from the Lord that today's lukewarmness was cold, parading itself as having some aspect of warmth to it. The more on fire we are, the greater the tension because holiness wants nothing to do with the flesh besides eradicating it in favor of a close relationship with the Lord. The flesh is selfish to the core and doesn’t desire to submit to anything contrary to its own desires. Both are pulling, creating a holy tension where only one can win.

This tension's purpose is to bring us to a place of repentance as God positions us, so the assignment He has for us will be done in His strength rather than our ability. God is preparing His Bride - one without spot or wrinkle. He desires a Bride who will exhibit joy amid adversity and doesn't cower at the enemy's tactics but will courageously rebuke him, allowing God’s light to dispel the darkness.

I want to encourage you today to submit to the work of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him why if you are not feeling the tension between the flesh and the spirit. As the chasm increases between Christ's Church and the world, we must be totally submitted to His Lordship or walk away altogether. There is no room for Sunday morning stagnancy. It only leads to death. Paul told the Ephesians,

"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Eph. 2:1-7 NKJV

Remember, you are in the world, but not of it. A manifestation of that difference is at hand. Romans 6-8