Pardon Me, But Your Frame Is Showing
By Rev. James May
One of my favorite bumper stickers says, “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven”. That sums up the life of a Christian in just about as few words as I could think of. The Bible tells us in Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Can we agree with the Apostle Paul and admit this morning that we so often fall short of being the perfect Christian? Oh how often do we fail to meet up to our own expectations; much less that of what God desires of us!
I was coming home from a board meeting yesterday when I noticed a house that was under construction. The walls of the house were up and most of the exterior had been covered so that the shape and final appearance were easily seen. But one thing really struck me as I drove past. I saw that there was an open framework still visible on the roof. It was at that moment in time that the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me and said, “Never forget that I can see your framework all of the time.” And then the thought came to me of how often our “framework” shows through when other people see us.
We can finish up the outside of this dwelling of flesh, this old house we’re living in while we are upon this earth, but there are times when the framework shows through. No matter how spiritual we think we are, or how educated we may seem, or how good we try to appear before men, there are times when that framework breaks through and then we really see what Paul says is true, that in this flesh dwells no good thing. Though we, through will power and a whole lot of prayer, try to always do that which is right, for the will to live holy and upright before God is always there, yet we find ourselves in a position that we just don’t know how to do that which we want to do most of all. No matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to ever reach that state of perfection. Somehow, that framework always breaks through and the will of the flesh becomes more than I can handle alone.
There are times when I walk through the halls of the church, listening and watching as God’s people interact with one another, and even here in the church, our framework begins to show through the polished exterior and white washed walls. Some of the words that are spoken, and the manner in which they are spoken along with some of the grumbling and complaining, lets our framework show through. Sometimes it’s an attitude that we have; or just the way we treat one another on occasion that lets the reality of our true framework be revealed.
Let us never forget from what we are made. Though we lay our foundation upon the rock, Jesus Christ, and though we may try to speak with the tongues of angels, yet we are ever reminded that our framework is weak and frail and subject to fall at any given moment!
King David was reminded so many times of his true framework. He was a man after God’s own heart, a man that honored God and loved God, and yet David’s framework brought him almost to the brink of destruction more than once.
What’s that framework I’m talking about? Well, if you haven’t figured it out, it’s that body of flesh that you are stuck with all of your natural life. It’s that body of flesh, and the desires of that body, that often are your biggest adversaries in trying to serve the Lord.
Psalms 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
God knows that we are but frail human flesh that is home to the eternal soul that he has placed within us. Though this body was designed from the beginning to be an eternal home for our soul, the power of sin has corrupted it so badly that it has become more like a prison cell for the soul that longs to be free and to soar in heavenly places with God.
That’s why Paul said that to live is Christ and to die is gain. If he yet lived in this mortal fleshly body, his framework was weak and frail and he was subject to fall; always having to struggle with his own desires; ever fighting to overcome the power of his own flesh that tried to keep him from experiencing the best that God had to offer. Paul was ever fighting to gain the victory over himself.
Our greatest obstacle to obtaining the great promises of God is our own self. If I can just get self out of the way, how much more could God use me? How much more could we accomplish for the kingdom of God!
Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Romans 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Paul’s not saying that he was guiltless in the fact that he might fail God in the flesh. But he did recognize that there is a war going on inside of every one of us. The body of flesh that is corrupted by sin is always at war with the Spirit of God that dwells in us as well. Which side of the battle is winning always depends on which side we are showing the most attention to.
If we are always catering to the things we want to do; then we are surely losing the battle to the will of the flesh; and we can, in no way, please God by our rebellious nature. If we are focused on feeding the body, entertaining the body, keeping this heart of sin satisfied with the things of this world, then we are losing the battle.
What we must do is focus as much as possible upon the things that are sacred and eternal. Let the Spirit lead us; let the Word change us; let God have His way, and the battle will turn toward victory in Jesus.
I’m so glad that David came to know the Lord so much more through all of his troubles. He discovered just how great our God is and he was led by the Holy Spirit to record what he learned for us.
Psalms 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Psalms 103:9 He will not always chide [scold or rebuke]: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
Psalms 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
Thank God for his infinite mercy and grace! I walk each day as close to God as I can, and yet I turn a corner, or look around and what do I see? Because of a cross word or an angry deed, or one act of selfishness, forgetting even for a moment to consider the will of God in any given situation, and suddenly, without warning, I see that my framework of the dust of this corrupt earth is showing through, and all I can say is, “Oh God, have mercy on me. I don’t desire to do it, yet I do; and I am but a sinner always in need of a Savior; ever going astray, always forgetting to do that which is good; and constantly finding myself in rebellion against the laws of God in some way or another!
Like Paul, I can only cry out, “Oh wretched man that I am! How can I be free of this framework of flesh? How can I finally break the power of sin in this body of flesh and become a pleasing, faithful servant of the Lord whom I desire more than anything in this world to serve?
Paul found the answer! David found the answer! And because of the Word of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon that Word; I have found the answer as well! It’s liberating; its exhilarating; it lifts me out of the shadows of my own weakness and brings me into the light of the strength and light of Almighty God!
What is the answer?
Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
How does that work? How can I serve God, and feel confident in my salvation, and know that all is well between me and my Lord, in spite of the failings of my weak framework?
It’s all because of what Jesus did on the Cross! When Jesus shed his blood and shouted “It is Finished” the power of the flesh with its corrupt framework of sin, was forever broken. The sin debt is forever paid in full. And though I may still have this framework of flesh, yet I can live in the victory of the Spirit because the blood of Jesus continually washes away the filth of the flesh every time I confess it to Jesus!
The weakness of my framework, made of the dust of the earth, may be visible, but the power of the blood of Jesus and the in-dwelling presence of the Holy Ghost gives me victory over it all! That doesn’t give me the liberty to sin, without repenting of it, and get away with it! No, it’s exactly the opposite! Though I sin, yet I can have liberty because of continual repentance and continual cleansing by the blood. It’s all been paid for by Jesus. All I have to do is cry out unto the Lord for forgiveness; do everything I can to turn away from doing that again, no matter how many times I have to go back and repent over and again; and Jesus promises to ever forgive; to ever keep cleansing, and then to bring me into the presence of my Father in Heaven without one stain of sin or one blemish because I’m set free by the blood of the Lamb. We are made righteous, not by our continual repentance; not by godly sorrow for the times that our framework of dust breaks through; but by the power of the blood of Jesus that was shed once for all sin! My Righteousness and my eternal salvation rests upon the power of the blood alone; not upon my efforts to put down my weakness of the flesh!
I don’t deserve that liberty, or that victory, that Jesus gives. I can only say, Thank God, for His mercy and grace. What chance would this old framework created from the dust have in ever pleasing God! What could any of us ever do to make this sinful flesh presentable to our Holy and Righteous God? We couldn’t do anything, so God did it all!
Psalms 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Through repentance for the deeds committed by this framework of flesh, the mercies of God are extended, and by His grace, because I certainly don’t deserve it, my deeds are forgiven and sin is washed away by the price that Jesus paid nearly 2000 years ago.
The power of the blood is such that every sin of the flesh, every deed committed by this mortal framework of flesh, is forever cast away, removed to never be seen again. The charges against me are dropped, my record of rebellion in the Books of Heaven are forever blotted out, and my record is clean before God! I’m free from the power of this framework over my soul! I’m free to worship and serve the Lord in spite of it all!
David said in Psalms 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
And then he said in Psalms 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
Our Heavenly Father looked down from Heaven with pity for the man that he had created. He loved us in spite of our many failures; in spite of the sin of rebellion against every law that He gave; in spite of the fact that our framework is nothing but corruption of the earth. He looked down and showed pity, extended mercy, and gave us a way to break free.
I’m so glad that God loves his people! I’m so glad he loved you and I before we ever knew he existed! I’m so glad that our Heavenly Father saw fit to overlook our framework that was exposed to show exactly what we were on the inside; and still sent Jesus to make a way of salvation!
People of God, there are many times when we allow our framework to show through! There are a lot of times when I can look upon my brothers and sisters in the Lord, and though they are beautiful in the eyes of God and though we are Born Again by the Spirit of God, there are still times when that framework of corrupted dust shows through and the weaknesses of the flesh show so glaringly. That’s when I’m reminded of the power of the blood to wash away the power of the framework and overcome the flesh!
Let me tell you that if you don’t stay in an attitude of repentance, it won’t take long for your framework to show. Everyone around you will see your rafters, your naked ceiling joists, your bare studded walls; and that old fleshly framework will be exposed, and it won’t be a pretty sight! If we allow the covering the blood to fade away; or if we allow the power of the flesh to overcome the power of the Spirit in our lives, then no matter how much you might claim to love Jesus, we will all see your ugly old framework of corrupted dust and it won’t be a pretty sight!
Anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, selfishness, jealousy, back biting, confusion, and every evil thing will become more and more visible. The words we speak, and the manner in which we say them will reveal our sinful framework.
People who don’t know Jesus can’t help but let that framework shine through! They have no covering for the filth and the shame and the guilt of rebellion against God. The sins of the flesh are everywhere and their whole life is wasted while they wallow in the mire of sin. They need a covering for their naked framework of dust – they need the blood of Jesus to wash away that sin.
In closing just let me say that when you walk around the church, keep your spiritual eyes open, listen with ears of the Spirit and you’ll see what I’m talking about today. There are some here who have exposed framework of the flesh that is visible.
Whenever we see someone who is acting in a way unbecoming to a Born Again Christian; when we see them with a bad attitude, or speaking harsh words of correction and condemnation, perhaps we should just walk up to them, tap them on the shoulder and say, “Pardon me, but your framework is showing again. It’s time to get back to the altar and seek God’s covering once again.”
All of us fail. All of us come short of the glory of God. All of us battle with our own framework of corrupted dust. The key is to stay on our face before God, seeking his cleansing power for sin and ever relying upon his mercy and grace.
We are all part of the same building, the building that is called the House of God. We are the church, and just like this building would not be complete, and it would not be useful for long, if we left the framework showing and didn’t finish the building; so will the church be weakened by those who allow their framework of the flesh to be always visible.
Lord, Help us to quickly repent of Sin! Help us to ever stay under the covering of your blood! Help us to be overcomers by the blood of the Lamb, and never to allow our framework of corrupted flesh, made of the dust of the earth, to rule in our lives.
If you’ve been touched by these words this morning, it is not me that is touching you, but it is the Spirit of the Lord reaching out and bringing the Word to your doorstep. He’s telling you that you have some exposed framework. It’s time to come to Jesus and get it covered again. It’s time to bring it back to Jesus that he may cleanse you again.
Will you come to Jesus today? Will you let God repair the breach in your wall, put a new covering over your roof, and finish the work that He has begun in your life? Jesus is saying, “Come, let me blot your sins away. Come let me cover you completely and make your life beautiful again.” Will you come?
