<!--[endif]-->Prior to salvation, we lived
as slaves to sin and pawns in Satan’s plan (Romans 7). Even after salvation, our sin of omission or
commission builds a wall between us and our fellowship with the Trinity. 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
gradually grow 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.
One day we finally wake up,
and with humility and grace we 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 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 a
temptation (Galatians 5:16, 25).
If we are born of God, we cannot live in habitual sin (1 John
3:9).
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 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 as well as our perfection (Hebrews
12:2; James 1:4). By God’s Spirit, we
are one with Christ and our life consists of doing our Father’s business
instead of our own (Luke 2:49).
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 also one
with God through 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, through us and instead of 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.
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:
Fellowship with the Trinity
and listen to God’s Spirit within you to accomplish His will for your life
moment by moment.<!--[endif]-->
Thank you, Amazing World and Shirley Kreamer for sharing this photo.
