To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:8-9 NASB2020
There’s a tension between personal responsibility and God’s sovereignty. What is my responsibility? What is God’s?
I think of it this way, God is the initiator. I respond to God. God is the giver of all good things. I am the receiver of God’s grace.
Have you been going through the motions? Is it taking all of your energy just to show up? Has life lost its spark? If so, you’re not alone. God is doing a new thing.
What satisfied in the past will no longer satisfy. God is increasing our appetite for holiness. The compromise, the mixture, the worldliness that we’re so quick to embrace, it is all becoming repulsive.
God’s Spirit is moving like a roaring river coming down the mountain after the spring thaw. Nothing will stand in its wake. Only that which is born of the Spirit will remain.
As sons and daughters of God, we are heirs of Christ. We inherit all of the blessings that Jesus bled and died for. His obedience delivers our reward. Now, it’s time to do our part. Who are we becoming?
Life is not about doing. It’s about being. If we confuse our worth with our actions instead of our character, we’ll waste our efforts masquerading as righteous.
Who is the master of our soul? Who is the steward and shepherd of our hearts? Hint, it’s not us.
Only God alone can change our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. He alone has the power to transform us from carnally minded to heavenly minded. God is the One who changes us from glory to glory.
Don’t confuse the blessing of God with something that you earned. If you want to see His favor disappear, become conceited and think you deserve it. We deserve nothing but death. Yet, God in His infinite mercy and grace chooses to be merciful to some.
We cannot change God’s mind. Who can counsel the Lord? His way is perfect. His timing is perfect. Everything He does yields eternal fruit. We must seek His will. We must surrender to His way. Like that mighty, rushing river, you can struggle against it all you want, but you’ll still be swept away in the current.
God’s will is irresistible. Tap into God. Let His life flow through you. There is no room for pride. No space for selfish ambition. Your opinion doesn’t matter anymore. It never did. What God says is what matters. What God says is truth.
Position yourself to be a blessing. Receive from the Lord. Share what you get from Him. Let the river flow. Amen.
Igniter Ministries 