It is Impossible to Live for God

 

 

It is impossible to live for God in this world; but it is quite possible for Christ to live His life in and through us. A life hidden with Christ in God is our true and solitary reality (John 15:19; Colossians 3:3). Christ in us will make us successful in His calling for our life, so that we can enjoy His rewards both now and in eternity (Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 2:20). Christ is in us regardless of our temporal experiences, and He gives us His promises and seals us with His Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Peter 2:4).

No matter what circumstances life hands us, our faith grows as we watch the mighty hand of God deliver us from all of our troubles (Psalm 55:18; James 2:1-4). Christ finished everything He started, both during His lifetime and now in ours (John 4:34, 17:4; Romans 9:28; Philippians 1:6). As we die daily, Christ is formed in us (1 Corinthians 15:31; Galatians 4:19). This makes no sense to an unsaved person, because Christ’s deepest work in us is perceived only by those born of His Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14).

God’s beauty makes us hunger for more of His presence in our life (Psalm 27:4). His Spirit unites us with Him as one  (1 Corinthians 6:17). We walk in His will, and speak and do only that which His Spirit directs us to say and accomplish. He expresses the will of our Father through us now, and He will also escort us through death to dwell with Him forever (John 6:40). In Christ, dwells the fullness of the entire Godhead, and we are complete in Him, lacking nothing (Colossians 2:9).

Our humanity is actually dead to sin; so we can now listen to Christ instead of to the thoughts in our mind (Romans 6:6,11; Colossians 3:3-4). The unrivaled resource of God’s power is given to all of us who surrender to Him (Ephesians 1:17-19). As we walk in His will, He supplies all of our earthly needs (Matthew 6:33). The banks may fail, and we may lose money in the stock market; but by investing our whole life in God’s Kingdom, we shall always prosper (Matthew 6:19-21). 

Prayer:

Father God, our natural abilities are dwarfed by the greatness of Your power within us (Ephesians 1:19). Once we realize that You are our only hope and ability, we cease from our own efforts and rest in You (Hebrews 4:10: Ephesians 2:8-10). We are a blank canvas on which You paint Your masterpiece that is uniquely who You desire for us to be (Ephesians 2:10). Remind us to cling to You in every trial (Acts 11:23) and to rejoice in You for every victory.

Thought for the Day:

Our worries will blind us to the peace of God, which is available within us, even in the midst of disquieting distress and overwhelming obstacles.

Shining Like Stars

Jesus is the first born of God’s children (Revelation 1:5; Romans 8:29). Our hope of resurrection comes through Him (1 Peter 1:3; Ephesians 1:1,5; Romans 6:11). He laid down His life for His brethren and conquered death, so that He could provide us with the life of His Spirit through His resurrection (John 5:24, 6:63, 11:25; 1 John 3:14; Acts 2:24; Philippians 2:8: 1 Corinthians 15:4). God separated the light from the darkness during creation and now He uses His Word as a sharp, two-edged sword to separate the carnality of our soul and our union with Christ in our spirit (Hebrews 4:12).

Even the good that is in our human heart must be laid at the altar of God, so we do not take pride in it or count on it for our salvation (John 1:13). We work out our own salvation only through the desire and power given to us by God (Philippians 2:12–13). It is through the regenerative work of God’s Spirit that we are renewed; separated from the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil; transformed into the likeness of Christ; sanctified in our soul and eventually glorified in our body.

God leads us to live in a realm of life deeper than our thoughts and emotions, which is influenced by His Spirit within our spirit. We move beyond the petty, superficial existence and concerns of this world and into the profound reality of life in the Spirit. He creates for Himself a holy habitation within our spirit in which He dwells. Now we are actually dead to sin, and united with Him in His resurrection (Ephesians 2:6; Romans 6:5; Colossians 2:12). Jesus gives us newness of life forevermore (Romans 6:4; 1 John 5:12).

He slowly manifests Himself through our regenerated soul. He heals our mortal body by His abundant divinity within us (2 Corinthians 4:10-11; Romans 8:11; John 10:10).  His Spirit gives us a new perspective on life and we start to do everything without complaining or arguing. We display the fruit of God’s Spirit and the peaceful fruit of righteousness to the world around us as we submit to His cleansing work each moment of the day (Galatians 5:22-23; Hebrews 12:10-11).

He transforms us into shining stars and makes us blameless and pure as His dear children, even in the midst of a depraved sea of humanity surrounding us throughout our daily life (Philippians 2:14-15). We lead as many of these drowning people to Christ as will humble their pride and surrender their life to Him (Philippians 2:16-18). We add to our prayer list those who refuse to accept Jesus, and until our dying breath we pray for them to find this unity with Christ.

Prayer:

Father God, we find rest for our soul only in a life lived for You. The trials of life discourage us. The tribulation of life threatens to overcome us. Without You, we are hopeless and undone. Thank You for salvation in Christ and encouragement from Your Spirit. Lead us by Your Spirit moment by moment throughout the day so that we can shine as stars in Your universe, as we walk in victory as overcomers because of Christ within us.

Thought for the Day:

Surrounded by the trivial concerns of life, we stand the chance of losing our perspective of eternity. Guard it with your life.