Sin is resident in our humanity, and no good thing comes
from this flesh (Romans 7:18). We cannot walk in the Spirit
while bogged down in our flesh. No amount of claiming God’s promises, poetic
mottos and no programs or college degrees can benefit our walk with Christ
apart from God’s Spirit. We have no value or holiness of our own, but only that
which comes from our faith in God through Christ (Philippians 3:7-9).
Therefore, when we finally come to the place where we can
count our personal achievements as useless, we will gain a deepening, personal
relationship with Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:8). As we come to know Christ
intimately, we live our life with an attitude of expectancy. We start
experiencing His resurrection power in our life. We cheerfully lay down our
goals, dreams and aspirations daily in order to apprehend more of Jesus (Philippians
3:10-12).
We give up our confidence in our self, as well as the
control of our life, by surrendering to His love and grace. In this way, we walk
in the Spirit, and we no longer fulfill the desires, and ambitions of our flesh
(Galatians
5:16, 25). Christ manifests His divine nature through our spirit, by
the grace and promises of God (2 Peter 1:4). We walk daily in His holiness
and live for the furtherance of His Kingdom.
We cease from our human effort and enter into His rest (Hebrews
4:10). We give Him complete control of each moment of our day. We hunger and
thirst for more of Him, and nothing else will satisfy us. God does a complete
work in us, bringing us from one stage of glory to the next (2
Corinthians 3:18). Our humanity is dead and hidden with Christ in God.
Christ becomes our whole life (Colossians 3:3-4).
The Lord views our life in relation to eternity. Our finite
mind and our narrow perspective do not limit Him. He has mighty feats to
accomplish through us as we focus our life on Him. When we leave this earthly
realm, we pass from death to everlasting live. Nothing is lost and everything
is gained in Christ. We need not fear death or what life has in store for us,
because nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans
8:31-39).
Prayer:
Father God, we can do nothing worthwhile outside of the
work of Your Spirit in and through us. In our job, home, community, church or
hobbies, we only succeed when we accomplish Your works that You created for us
to do before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 2:8-10). You
know who we really are deep down inside or our soul, and You love us
unconditionally. We have no need to fear what any person could do to us,
because You are our strength and our song (2 Timothy 1:7; Psalm 118:14).
Thought for the Day:
Fear has no place in the heart of an authentic Believer,
because the Author of our faith dwells in our heart.