We have been taught that we can
do all things through Christ who strengthens us. This is a slight perversion of
God’s Truth. It puts the emphasis on "I can", rather than on Christ
in me can.
The actual truth of this verse
is: We can do all things only through Christ's presence in us. His abiding existence in us provides
us with God's wisdom, strength and divine power.
We cease our self-effort, and we
enter into God’s rest (Hebrews 4:10). Jesus actually gives us the desire and
the power to fulfill His purpose for us in the earth (Philippians 2:12-13; 4:13;
Ephesians 2:10).
Authentic Believers are already
crucified with Christ; and therefore, we live in this world only for God’s
glory. We no longer live as part of this world, looking out for our own
interests (Philippians 1:21; Romans 2:20).
As our self-centeredness
decreases daily, Christ will increase in us (John 3:30). When we walk in
obedience to God's Holy Spirit moment by moment, we do not sin or fulfill the
lusts of our flesh (Galatians 5:16-17, 25).
We dwell in God’s rest and we no
longer live for our own agenda, but Christ carries out God's will for us as He
lives in us and through us (Galatians 2:20).
Our negative emotions illuminate
the areas in our life where we hoard our idols. As we surrender them to God,
Satan has fewer areas where he can hinder our walk in Christ.
We experience more freedom to
serve Christ with our whole body, soul and spirit. Our dedication, commitment
and consecration to Him increases and we want less of this world.
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for
redeeming us, calling us by Your name, drawing us closer to You each day and
desiring an intimate relationship with us both in this world and in the next.
You fill us with Your Spirit and presence, and sustain us through every trial
we experience on this earth. We can never thank You enough for Your sacrificial
love for us.
Create in us a pure heart, devoid
of sinful desires, and renew a righteous spirit within us (Psalm 51:10). Continue
to help us to crucify our flesh as we walk in Your Spirit until we have no
desire to sin, but our only desire is to please You with our body, thoughts, emotions,
choices and spirit.
Thought for the Day:
A person who desires true riches,
will prefer the knowledge freely given to us in God's Word and follows it
pathway of righteousness and spirituality to gain true joy and peace; if we
really believe God's Word, we value it above all else and the world loses its
tempting influence over us.
