July 16: Towards the Higher Ground

​I remember an amusement park trip during my high school years. Among the many memories with friends, one that stands out is riding the rollercoaster. As the ride slowly ascended, the people below looked as small as ants from the great height we reached. At the peak, just when the train took a brief pause, I saw the word "DANGER" right in front of me. That moment was terrifying, and even before the rollercoaster dropped, I knew I didn't enjoy these rides. Reflecting on that moment, I realized that simply going higher isn't always good; it can be dangerous. It's crucial to consider who you are going up with and for what purpose in your life.

Oswald Chambers (1874-1917), the prominent Scottish preacher known for his devotional book “My Utmost for His Highest,” once said that the common point between the world of temptation and the world of spirituality is that both keep leading us ‘towards higher ground.’ Satan stimulates us to ascend into a higher world of temptation, while God encourages us to reach a higher spiritual realm.

Satan’s purpose is to gradually intensify the stimulus, slowly downgrading our existence. He never raises the intensity of temptation abruptly; he increases it so slightly that we don’t even notice. By the time we realize, “I’ve come too far,” it’s already too late. On the other hand, God intends to enter into intimacy with us, elevate our spirituality, upgrading our existence to a higher dimension. Ultimately, God wants to bring us to the fullness of Christ, shaping us to become more like Him.

Friends, there are two flags in our lives: the flag of temptation waved by Satan and the flag of deep spirituality waved by the Lord. Both flags promise freedom, but following Satan’s flag seems to lead freedom at first, but soon ends in misery. Following the Lord’s flag may be uncomfortable at first, but it leads us to greater freedom and everlasting Joy!

What is your current spiritual state? Which flag are you following now? Is it Satan’s flag or the Lord’s flag? Are you climbing higher towards the Lord? Is today better than yesterday, this week better than last week, this year better than last year in terms of your personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

Choose what is right. Do what is good in the eyes of God. Stay away from all kinds of evil and come to the throne of God through the blessed Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a daily commitment.

Ephesians 4:13 (NIV): "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

Yours in the matchless name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer,

Rev. Dr. Won Kim

The Lead Pastor of Thrive Church