“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours….” (James 5:17)

Don’t be mistaken about the godly and mature among the hodge-podge of God’s children.  They’re so much like you and me that we might be surprised.

And possibly disappointed too.

Sorry about that. If you were in the hopes that some among us had achieved a sinless state where every thought was pure and godlike and temptation no longer pestered them, I’m sorry to be the one to let the air out of that balloon.

In fact, these whom we treasure for their Christlikeness and maturity do not know they are the envy of the rest of the congregation. Most would be surprised anyone thinks of them that way.

That’s actually one of the signs that they are.

There is a tendency among us commoners to elevate certain ones of the sweetest, most mature to saintlike status where we assume they no longer deal with the same earthy issues we do.  Now, it’s not the worst mistake we can make–there are so many other contenders for that honor–but it’s up there.

The godly are not unlike Elijah and you and me.

From the little I know about these godly/mature individuals, here are some realities the rest of us may want to bear in mind…

a) Their mind wanders too, just like yours.

You know how you are praying and suddenly a stray thought intrudes and you wonder where that came from and question how you could be saved to have such thoughts?  Or you are reading the Scripture and suddenly you think of something very carnal?  Welcome to the human race.

They are that way too.

b) Their faith wonders. Just like yours.

When facing critical health issues–cancer, bypass surgery, etc.–you need to know that those “at the head of the class” also have their moments when they question whether God is watching over them, achieving His will in this, and holding them in the palm of His hand.  When they think of death, not always but sometimes they wonder too if such outlandish promises as Scripture makes–awakening, judgment, Heaven, a new body!–are true.

c) Their pride sometimes asserts itself.

By “pride,” we are not speaking of a healthy self-esteem, but the ego on steroids, the all-encompassing “I” which wants its pleasures and recognitions and insists that “I deserve better than this!”  Pride scoffs at our humility and sneers at our sacrifices.

The godly and mature among us know that pride never goes out of business. No matter how many times you nail it to the cross, it keeps climbing down and showing up when you least expect it.  So, like you and me, they deal with it as many times as necessary.

d) Their memory sometimes condemns them.

“You did this despiccable thing. You say God has forgiven it.  But what if your family and friends knew? They would spit in your face. What a hypocrite you are.”

An active memory about forgiven-and-forgotten things will weigh you down, impede your growth, and silence your testimony. You must not let it happen.  Claim Hebrews 10:17 and be bold for Christ.

e) Their fears are still known to torment them.

The difference in the godliest and most mature is that their fears reassert themselves less frequently. But from time to time, they still worry about financial hardship, physical illness, the afterlife or some promise in Scripture that seems so fantastic.

f) Temptation still targets them.

You thought there would come a time when temptation would no longer trouble you?  Not in this lifetime, friend.

So, how are they different, these godly and mature ones among us, if it turns out that they still deal with the same problems and temptations as the rest of us? 

They have a longer track record of obedience.

They have fought temptation for a longer period and have won more often than not.

They have studied God’s Word longer than you, know a great deal of it, and thus are built up in areas we aren’t.

They have come to terms with their own mortality and humanity as well as yours and mine. They do not make the mistake of putting people on pedestals, only to be disappointed when they slip from their lofty perch.

They have come through storms you and I still have to face, and they learned lessons available nowhere else.

They have learned that while they may have those occasional errant thoughts and nagging questions, not to voice them.  As the Psalmist said, “If I had spoken thus, I would have betrayed the generation of Thy children” (Ps. 73:15).

Some things you keep to yourself.

So, hang in there, child of God. Stay with the program. Continue walking by faith.

Expect to doubt from time to time, and accept the fact that certain persistent enemies–your pride, your faulty memories, temptation–will never leave you alone in this life.  Just go on believing by faith.

That’s how it’s done, you know. We literally believe by faith.

I tell you upon the authority of God’s word, friend, it gets better.  Eventually it gets so glorious you “can’t hardly stand it.”

Then, at the end, there is a crown of righteousness presented by the Lord Himself.  When that occurs, you’ll be so elated you’ll be raptured!