It almost takes a lifetime for human beings to come to the
realization that God is always right. Starting with the fact that there really
is nothing good about our humanity (Romans 7:18, 8:7). Our
personality and talents from God are so much more winsome and creative than
those we develop through our training and natural abilities. If we look to our
self or to this world for life, liberty and happiness, we are miserably
disappointed.
Our flesh is despicable to God. That is why Christ died in
our place (Romans 4:25; 2 Corinthians 11:18). Nothing
less than absolute annihilation of our flesh will aid us in coming into perfect
union with Christ in us. This is not our responsibility, however. We simply
surrender to the Holy Spirit who perfects us by replacing our carnality with
His fruit. Sometimes, it takes more than one trial to completely eradicate our
flesh in one certain area.
Therefore, it may take a lifetime for Him to replace our
carnality with each one of His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). Through
His death, Jesus gave us eternal life, which begins the moment we believe in
Him and commit to walk away from our sins (John 3:16-18). It is
only through our union with God that we attain eternal freedom and joy (Galatians
5:1; Psalm 27:5-7). We no longer hunger and thirst for what this world
has to offer. We only want more of God (Matthew 5:6).
Seeking God with our whole heart is the only way we will
find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). If we go without food for days,
we are no longer hungry; and we will die a slow death. The same thing happens
in the spiritual life. When we lose our hunger for God, we die spiritually as
well. Fellowshipping with other Saints who also hunger for God will help to
fill our hungry soul and spirit (Psalm 107:9).
When we comprehend the freedom, which is ours through
Christ, who is our whole life, we realize that our humanity is already dead,
because we are actually hidden with Christ in God (Colossians
3:3-4). Then, we cease from our human striving and stress and
enter into His rest (Hebrews 4:10). Absolute surrender to God’s will
for our individual life (Ephesians 2:8-10) is our only door to
freedom.
Prayer:
Father God, You gave Jesus the power to save us to the most
extreme measure of perfection (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 5:6-9). We are
crucified with Him; and we can only successfully navigate the life, which we
now live on this earth, by the power of Christ in us, who loves us and gave
Himself for us (Galatians 2:20). Therefore, we voluntarily lay
down our life and take up Your life by Your Spirit in us (1
Corinthians 3:16).
Thought for the Day:
Jesus is the only door to the throne room of God. – John
10:9