The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Psalm 138:8 ESV
It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please him.
Philippians 2:13 GW
We are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.
Acts 5:32 GW
I’ve heard it said that it’s pointless to try and disciple someone who does not yet have the Holy Spirit. I tend to agree.
What is the point of being a disciple? You learn to walk in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Scripture provides the guardrails for what is true and what is right. But it’s impossible in the flesh to please God.
You must be born again. Without the Spirit of God working in you, it’s impossible to please God. God is the One who works in you to produce the desire and actions that please Him.
Really, it’s just the Trinity in action. We’re just a vessel. The Church is united with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is indwelling those who obey God. If you’re obeying God, it’s because God is doing it.
So get out of the way. Let God be God and all flesh be crucified. We were crucified with Christ. We were buried with Him in the waters of baptism. And God raises us up in newness of life as He raised Christ from the dead. The same power that resurrected Jesus lives in us. We are a new creation. Jesus is the Head, we are the Body, united in One Spirit and one mind, the mind of Christ.
If you see division, it’s the work of the devil. If you see dissension, it’s the work of the flesh. The trouble with the Church is that they’re afraid of everything but the Lord. God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.
Where is the power? Where is the love? Where is the soundness of mind that the Lord provides?
This is a new day in a new year. Let’s put our childish ways behind us. Let’s act like men. Men of God, purchased with a price, sold out for their Savior. There’s nothing that man can do, there’s nothing the enemy can do to harm us. Even if we die, we are forever safe in the Lord. There’s nothing to fear but our own foolishness and unbelief.
Father in Heaven, give us wisdom to walk in Your ways. We surrender our bodies and our minds to be used of You. We choose to obey You and Your commandments because we love You and honor You as Lord and King. Give us Your Holy Spirit as the down payment on our inheritance in You. Perfect us for Your Glory in Your love. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell.
Matthew 10:28 GW
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