God
tells us that unless we act and think as a little child, we cannot enter His
Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 18:3). He is not suggesting that we throw temper
tantrums or act self-centeredly.
He wants
us to lay down our selfish pride, humble our self under the mighty hand of God,
and live with child-like trust in our Father God (1 Peter 5:6-7; Psalm 131). He
wants us to live in the moment according to His Will for it.
God
calls us to forsake the love of all earthly attitudes, people, possessions,
pride and self-centeredness for the sake of Christ in us (Luke 14:26, 33). Our carnal flesh is dead and hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).
There is
no need to perfect our self, because we are already dead to sin through Christ
(Galatians 2:20). We simply draw near to God and resist the devil’s temptation,
because God always gives us a way to escape (James 4:7-8; 1 Corinthians
10:13).
Christ
is our whole life during every moment of our earthly existence (Colossians
3:4). God carries out His perfecting work in our soul by His Spirit (Hebrews 13:21).
We have
no concern for our self-worth apart from Christ in us (Matthew 19:17). Any self-effort will only accumulate carnal treasures, which are actually wood, hay
and stubble, according to God’s opinion (Galatians 6:3; 1 Corinthians 3:12).
We are
totally incapable of working for God through human power. Our human endeavors stink
in God’s sight (Luke 16:15).
Therefore,
we do nothing from our self-efforts, and everything according to the will of
God, by the power of God working in us (John 8:28; Zechariah 4:6).
Prayer:
Father
God, You have no interest in the power of our flesh, because You fight our
battles for us (2 Chronicles 32:8). This is so evident when we read about the
Battle of Jericho, and so many other battles, which Israel fought in Canaan
land.
We fight
many spiritual battles during our lifetime, but if we are wise, it is only and
always by Your Spirit (Ephesians 6).
If
we act like prideful and disobedient children, and carry out our own plans,
choose our own mate and increase in sin daily, we do not belong to You (Isaiah
30:1-2; 1 John 1:6).
Authentic
Believers do not rely on our human talents to do Your Will, but only on the
power of Your Spirit within us (1 Corinthians 2:4).
Thought
for the Day:
