PARTITION PUZZLE

Partition Puzzle:

Problems produce peril.

Peril petitions power.

Power promotes postulation.

Postulation provides picture.

Picture permeates personhood.

Personhood placates partition.

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In God's original design for the Garden of Eden, and for the Temple, the was no wall of separation. Adam and Eve created the first partition through rebellion. The Jews created a physical wall "of hostility" - beyond which no Gentile could advance. That area, the "outer court" was the area the Jews turned into a marketplace, which prevented Gentiles from being able to hear the good news of Scripture, i.e. God's grace and lovingkindness for sinful humanity.

In Ephesians 2:14 we read that Jesus came and broke down that partition: "For He Himself is our peace, having made both one and having broken down the barrier of the partition of hostility,"

In Mark 4:35 we read, “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.’” Then, beginning in v.37, we read, “A wild storm came up. Waves crashed over the boat. It was about to sink. Jesus was in the back, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him up. They said, ‘Teacher! Don’t you care if we’re destroyed?’ He got up and ordered the wind to stop. He said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down. And it was completely calm.” This series of events caused His disciples to ponder “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

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Our default is to look at problems and petition for deliverance. Scripture teaches us that peril is an opportunity for God to unveil His power, providence, and sovereign authority. When the peril abates we typically forget prior petitions and the picture painted through power. We postulate it was the skill of the surgeons, the proper combination of circumstances, or “good luck,” but we vehemently reject the possibility of personal involvement by God.

We’ve all been, or remain to be, in the boat of those partitioned, i.e. separated, from God because of sin. In Ezekiel 12:2 we read, “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.”

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Historically, our misguided priority as Christians has frequently been to placate the physical needs of people when Scripture reveals it is His power, presence, and personhood that eliminates the barrier of separation in the midst of problems and peril.

Is your obedient participation allowing God to disclose Himself through problems and peril, or are you adding to the wall of separation with “good deeds?”

Is God producing disciples or are you producing dependents?

Are you part of the solution to the PARTITION PUZZLE, or are you compounding the problem?

Blessings,

-Kevin M. Kelley

aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com