Back in the mid-1960's I was secretary to a Foursquare minister in Los Angeles.  One Sunday evening I went with her to North Long Beach where she was slated to preach in the evening evangelistic service.  As we were approaching the freeway, a car got in the way.  "Oh come on," she said to the other driver, "move out of the way!"  She then chuckled and said: "This is my 'unsanctified side.'"  I thought to myself: "If you could hear me cussing at traffic when I drive, your 'unsanctified side' would look 'SANCTIFIED' by comparison!). 

 

If there is a "sin that does so easily beset me", it is expressing anger in public by swearing.  Back when I had a car, I cussed at the traffic.  Now that I travel by public transportation (Tri Met bus and the Max train), I cuss at the busses, when three other busses of every other bus line number on the stop go by, and nary in sight is the bus I am waiting for. Or, when I am just a few feet away from the bus stop when approaching it, my bus goes sailing by.  When I do this, I ask God's forgiveness, and determine in my heart to "repent" (meaning, not do it anymore) -- and I do okay for awhile.  Yet, especially if I am having a "bad hair day" (in my "golden years I have both up and down energy days), etc., out will come the cuss words.  (Don't judge me now -- just pray for me).

 

Every person reading this column has something in his or her life that they have to deal with in our daily battle when "the flesh wars against the Spirit".  NO MATTER HOW DEEPLY SPIRITUAL YOU ARE, YOU -- TOO -- HAVE AN "UNSANCTIFIED SIDE".  There is no such thing as an "ex-sinner" -- when we accept Christ as our Saviour we are still sinners --  not JUST "sinners" -- we become "sinners saved by the Grace of God."   We do not deliberately sin -- yet, we still have our individual weakness(es) that we have to deal with so long as we live in this finite/earthly capacity. 

 

Nonetheless, I am very aware of the fact that "to whom much is given, much is required."  For example, if someone who has heard me preach on TV sees me cussing at the bus stop, this could be a "stumbling block" to them, i.e., sending "mixed messages."  Yes, God understands -- unfortunately, often people do not.  The Apostle Paul said to the people in his time and culture that eating of meat offered to idols was not wrong in and of itself.  However, he admonished that this could be a stumbling block to a weaker brother or sister and/or to someone new in the faith. 

 

In making a podcast recently I mentioned my "unsanctified side."  When Daniel, my producer, was writing the blurb about the podcast, he made reference to "the unsanctified Paula".  After giving this some thought, I recalled the words of the late Corrie ten Boom in her book TRAMP FOR THE LORD.  She said:  "Corrie ten Boom is lazy, selfish, and filled with ego.  Christ IN Corrie ten Boom is just the opposite of all these things." (Emhasis added). 

 

Yes, we all have our "unsanctified side."  If that was ALL there was to us, we'd be sunk. As Christians, we also have our SPIRITUAL side.  The side to us that acknowledges that in and of ourselves we can do nothing, and that we are completely and totally dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit to live the life in and through us -- this is what it means to be SPIRITUAL. 

 

The Rev. Troy Perry, Founder of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, shared in a TV interview with me the fact that in the LGBT community, surveys (polls) are often taken.  When asked if the respondent is "religious", 90% say no. When asked if the respondent is "spiritual", 90% say YES. 

 

And yet, no matter how spiritual we are -- we are also carnal -- and our fleshly nature sometimes will come to the forefront. 

 

To be spiritual does NOT mean that one is perfect.  Being spiritual also does not mean that one cannot be human and/or exercise human traits.  Being spiritual does not mean that one cannot have a sense of humor.  Rusty Warren, that nighclub entertainer from the 60's (the "knockers up girl") said:  "If you can't learn to laugh at sex, you have a problem with it!").  Risque humor?  Yes.  Vulgarity and/or "filthy jesting"?  NO!  In talking about Pride events, Rev. Jim Glyer, when Senior Pastor at Metropolitan Community Church of Portland, said:  "Celebration? Yes.  Drunkenness?  No." 

 

"The Unsanctified Paula" is hot tempered.  "The Spiritual Paula" works on controlling her temper.  "The Unsanctified Paula" wants to keep her Social Security money for herself.  "The Spiritual Paula" can't wait for the offering plate to come around at church so she can give to God's ministry.  "The Spiritual Paula" enjoys giving to the homeless person, even if she is not always able to.  "The Unsanctified Paula" says, "I don't feel like taping a TV program, and preaching, today."  The Spiritual Paula" says: "I am going to tape the TV program today -- NOT because I feel like it -- I am going to do it because it is the Will of God that I do it."

"The Unsanctified Paula" holds on to animosity and grudges, refusing to "forgive and forget."  "The Spiritual Paula" puts the anger right of her mind, forgives the one who has wronged her and loves that person just like the incident never happened. 

 

Please pray for "The Unsanctified Paula" -- that she will manifest more of "The Spiritual Paula" to those around her.  It isn't easy -- so please pray that I will ENDURE.  This kind of endurance is impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus promised would be given to the individual believer as his or her HELPER. 

 

My strength may be your weakness, and my weakness may be your strength.  We are all in this struggle together. 

 

copyright 2006              SISTER PAULA NIELSEN

 

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