Prior to salvation, we lived as slaves to sin, pawns in Satan’s plan (Romans 7). Even after salvation, our sin sometimes builds a wall between us and our fellowship with God. No matter how slowly or how high the wall goes up – we feel a separation and distance from our Lord and Savior (Romans 1:18). Our prayers hit the ceiling, our joy ebbs and our peace is overwhelmed by stress and negative emotions. Without righteousness, there can be no lasting peace and joy. We are separated from God due to our rebellion and unbelief (Romans 14:17).
This severance of our union with Christ bitters our soul. Then, resentment becomes the mortar we use to adhere the stones of willful sin in place. As the wall rises ever higher, fears riddle our soul. We grow gradually more anxious and hopeless. Eventually, some even feel animosity toward God and rail against Him, hurling accusations at Him and slandering His name to anyone who will listen. We end up punishing our self by removing our self from the protection and provision of our Heavenly Father.
With humility and grace we finally surrender our life to Christ. We live as slaves to righteousness and bondservants to Christ who lives within us by His Holy Spirit (Romans 1:1, 6:18). When temptations come our way, we can draw near to God, resist the devil, and Satan has no option but to flee from us (James 4:7). If we happen to sin, God is faithful and just to forgive that sin (1 John 1:9). However, as we walk in the Spirit, the lusts of the flesh are no longer tempting to us (Galatians 5:16, 25). If we are born of God, we cannot live in habitual sin (1 John 3:9).
Jesus recognized that He could do nothing of Himself, and that He and the Father are one (John 5:19, 10:30). After salvation, we are one with Christ. Jesus has the mind of God, and this mind is in us (1 Corinthians 2:16). Our union with Christ deepens as we focus on His work in us and through us. We repent of our sins and walk away from our agenda of self-effort and good works. At first, we have to practice listening to God’s Spirit as He guides us through our day. Slowly, it becomes second nature for us to follow the Spirit’s direction for each moment.
God wants more for us than just to redeem us from our sins. He also longs for a Bride without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). That is why God was in Christ, reconciling us to Himself (Colossians 1:20). He showed us His love, even while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). Now, there is joy even among the angels when every sinner repents (Luke 15:10). We are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). As we keep our focus on Christ, He authors and completes our salvation (Hebrews 12:2). We are one with Christ by His Spirit.
Prayer:
Father God, Joshua is a good example to us of listening to Your direction. The walls of Jericho posed an impossible obstacle. As Joshua obeyed Your instructions, the walls fell straight down. Even archeology proves the accuracy of this Biblical account. Joshua did not use human reasoning to capture the city; but He followed Your will for seven days, and then the city fell before his eyes (Hebrews 11:30). The wisdom of man is foolish when compared to Your ways (1 Corinthians 3:19).
Thought for the Day:
Listen to God’s Spirit within and do only those things, which you see God doing through your life.