Alive in Me

"My old self has been crucified with Christ.

It is no longer I who live,

but Christ lives in me.

So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God,

who loved me and gave himself for me."

Galatians 2:20 NLT

There are a lot of things I cannot do.  Let me clarify that.  There are a lot of things my flesh cannot do.  

• It is not natural for me to stand in front of a large group and deliver a message of hope.  Words do not flow easily from my lips but seem to get stuck in the fogginess of my mind.
• I cannot wait patiently for something I need or want.  I'd rather do anything to make it happen NOW!
• I am unable to love those who treat me like trash, giving them the courtesy, respect and forgiveness they refuse to grant me.
• There is no way on earth I can endure heartache, pain and suffering.  I avoid them like the plague.
• Thinking selflessly, putting others' needs before my own, is something foreign to my flesh.

Despite my frailties and weaknesses, I have a treasure within that gives me supernatural ability to overcome everything that holds me back from living as God has called me to live.  I have a power dwelling within me that gives me what I do not have.  Because of what Christ did in dying on the cross, I can enjoy the benefit of internal guidance and discernment.  It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives within me.  And that makes all the difference in the world.

• Through Christ the words of life roll smoothly off my lips as I stand in front of needy souls.
• Through Christ waiting is where I draw the strength of God, transforming an excruciating process into one that builds my faith.  (Isaiah 40:31)
• Through Christ I can deliver love to a world devoid of such riches.
• Through Christ, my grief is turned to beauty, my agony produces Christlikeness, my distress does not disappoint.  (Isaiah 61:3, Romans 5:3-5)
• Through Christ I am empowered to think of others before myself.

The only question, then, is who will I follow this day?  Will it be my flesh, propelling me down a path that leads to death, or will it be the Spirit of Christ who lives within, empowering me to live in the new way that leads to life?  (Romans 8:12-14)

Jesus Christ is alive in me!  What kind of difference does He make in my life?

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can choose life over death, supernatural over natural.

When do I get discouraged by my inability to live the Christian life instead of surrendering to the power of Christ within?

How do I expect to receive the benefits of Christ but still want to live as I used to live before I knew Him? 

Don't Resist the Holy Spirit

"You stiff-necked people,

with uncircumcised hearts and ears!

You are just like your fathers:

You always resist the Holy Spirit!"

Acts 7:51

All the believers were gathered together, making for a motley crew crowded into a single home.  Suddenly, what sounded like a violent wind storm swept through the group, only the air wasn't moving.  Perplexed, everyone looked around at each other, wondering what was happening.  The sound seemed to be coming from above but there was no place from which to flee the cacophony within the house; the din was everywhere.

All at once, a great fire came down from the ceiling, dividing itself into separate tongues of flames, each one resting upon a believer.  A great sense of power filled each person and they mysteriously received the ability to speak in other languages.  When outsiders gathered to investigate the sound, they wondered at the wide range of tongues coming from these people.  How could they each hear the message in their own language, as diverse as the onlookers were?  Some thought these believers must be drunk, but what had really happened was that God had sent His Holy Spirit upon those who trusted in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

I have the very power of God living within me in the form of God's Spirit.  Even so, it is easy to get into the habit of resisting His direction, His guidance and His power.  How could I defy such a mighty force?  There are many ways.

Stiff-Necked

God had provided everything they needed.  They had a continuous supply of delicious and nutritious food, delivered daily to their doorsteps. (Exodus 16:13-14) Their clothing and shoes stayed in good condition. (Deuteronomy 29:5)  When they needed water, He could make it appear from a rock, or turn bitter water into sweet.  (Exodus 15:25, Exodus 17:6) God Himself led the group, giving them guidance through a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. (Exodus 13:21)  In essence, the Israelites had it made.

Knowing that I have everything I need does not necessarily give me a sense of contentment.  Many times I yearn for more, desiring things I don't need but suddenly think I can't live without.  My wants morph into needs in my heart.  

The Israelites were no different.  Despite the fact that God had provided everything they needed, they still had a way of focusing only on what they didn't have and not on what God had provided.  They forgot they were God's chosen people and that He promised to take care of them.  Consequently, they complained a lot.

I'm equally as stubborn and set in my ways.  If I'm used to existing at a certain standard of living, I balk at the thought of giving up some income.  If I have my heart set on a new electronic gadget, car, or house, I resist the idea of settling for less.  If I'm accustomed to being around family at holiday time but this year everyone is split up, I mope if things don't go the way I want.

God is constantly at work in and around me, but I oppose Him when His provision or effort doesn't look like what I'm used to experiencing or what I expect to see.  I fight against what He's trying to do in the way that I direct my focus.  If I look for trouble, I'll find it.  But if I look for God's hand, I also will discover how He's at work and join in with Him.  Instead of being a part of the problem, then, I'll take part in God's amazing plan for my life.  

I resist God's Spirit in my life when I insist on my stubborn ways instead of letting go of my expectations in order to free Him to work in my life without limits.

Uncircumcised Hearts and Ears

They faced a tremendous challenge.  I mammoth city loomed above them, fortified with impenetrable walls.  This metropolis stood between them and the land God had promised the Israelites.  The men were not quite up to fighting yet as they had recently undergone the painful process of circumcision.  Yes, the people of Israel were coping with quite a dilemma.

Thankfully, God had a plan and it had nothing to do with the might of their soldiers.  Instead, it had everything to do with the power of God.  He commanded the people to march around the impassable wall of Jericho one time each day for six days.  On the seventh day, they walked around seven times, blowing their horns and shouting on the seventh time.  At the sound of the trumpet blast, the walls collapsed, allowing the men to rush in and conquer the city. (Joshua 6)  The faith of God's people had given God free reign to accomplish His will.

There are powerful things God has planned for my life, as well.  Many times, however, my heart does not desire to please Him and my ears do not hear His direction.  Instead, I'm more focused on looking holy outwardly but fail to commit, or circumcise, my heart to the objective of listening to and obeying God.  

Every time I depend upon my common sense instead of seeking God's will, I'm guilty of the same.  When I use my intellect to come up with a solution instead of leaving it in God's hands and paying attention to His direction, my heart is far from Him.  During the times when I betray my lack of faith by worrying about tomorrow, God is not glorified in my life.

The Apostle Paul explained this idea of setting my heart upon God as opposed to striving to look like I follow God.  He said, "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.  No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.  Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God." (Romans 2:28-29)

I can only please God when I'm devoted to following the lead of His Spirit instead of putting in the effort to try to do the right thing.  One is by the power of God, the other in my own strength.

I resist God's Spirit in my life when I depend upon my own resources instead of waiting for Him to direct me.

Generational Transfer

His father was the most evil king that ever ruled the nation of Judah.  He worshiped false idols, sacrificed his own sons in the fire in order to appease these gods.  He never turned to the one true God, even in the face of great trouble, instead opting to give sacrifices to the gods of his enemy, hoping to bring favor upon himself.  Instead, all he managed to do was draw God's wrath. (2 Chronicles 28)

Hezekiah, his son, must have worried that he'd follow in his father's footsteps.  Instead, he has the reputation as a king who did right in the eyes of the Lord.  Not only that, but it is said that there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah and that the Lord was with him, giving him success in all his endeavors.  (2 Kings 18:1-8)  Only God can break this kind of family line.

Similarly, there are negative qualities and areas of sin that have been passed down in my family from generation to generation.  It's easy to think I'm doomed to follow in the footsteps of my ancestors.  Thankfully, God is bigger than this trend.  I am not bound to do things as they have always been done.  Instead, I can step into the light of Jesus and walk in His ways.  (1 John 1:7)

The Lord gave a powerful message through the prophet Isaiah to the unfaithful people of Israel. He said, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." (Israel 43:18-19)

It doesn't matter what's been done in the past.  Maybe I'm plagued with the legacy of sexual sin. It could be that I think I'm doomed to a life of depression.  I may think that child abuse and an atmosphere of fear may be my lot in life.  Letting God have His way in my life, however, means that I will experience new things; abundance where once there was shortage, joy in the place of sorrow, success instead of failure.  

I resist the work of God's Spirit in my life when I bow down to generational transfer instead of letting Him break that family cycle of sin.

The gift of the Holy Spirit is available to all those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior.  Unfortunately, there are many ways I block His work in my life.  Instead of continuing in stubbornness, relying on my own strength and doing things as they've always been done, I can walk with Him onto a new path.  As I stay close, I'll experience His power in a way I can't explain, and I'll never be the same again.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will let God's Spirit have His way in me.

How do I insist on getting things my way, even though God's way is so much better?

In what ways do I feel doomed to walk in the steps of my family?

Counselor

"'Now I am going to him who sent me,

yet none of you asks me,

Where are you going?

Because I have said these things,

you are filled with grief.

But I tell you the truth:

It is for your good that I am going away.

Unless I go away,

the Counselor will not come to you;

but if I go, I will send him to you.

When he comes,

he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin

and righteousness and judgement:

in regard to sin,

because men do not believe in me;

in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father,

where you can see me no longer;

and in regard to judgment,

because the prince of this world now stands condemned.'"

John 16:5-11

We stood in the driving, cold rain with only an overhead shelter protecting us from the elements.  The weather mirrored our feelings as a faithful few gathered to say good-bye to a husband, father, son, brother, co-worker and friend.  Tears mingled with the rain as we walked back to our vehicles, the somber graveside service behind us.  Now began the difficult task of working through our grief and moving on without him.  Things would never be the same.

The disciples must have underwent similar feelings of loss as Jesus forewarned them of His impending departure.  I'm sure they wondered how they would live their lives without His physical presence.  Who would teach them?  Who would guide them?  How would they survive?  Would their faith falter?

Anticipating their worries, Jesus promised a Helper who would always be there to help them.  In order for this ever-present Spirit to be sent to those who follow Him, though, Jesus would have to return to His Father.  Out of the grief and suffering came the salvation of man, but also the gift of the Holy Spirit, our Counselor.

Conviction of Sin

I am a sinner saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.  The reality of my identity must always be at the forefront of my mind, lest I grow self-righteous.  When I see areas of sin in others, it stands out like a beacon to me, tempting me to enlighten then of their wrongdoing and point them to the path of righteousness.

Jesus, however, taught another way to live in peace with one another.  Through His redemptive work on the cross, I am made right with a holy God.  Now, through the blood of Jesus, I am like a priest who can access God directly, without going through a middle-man or an intercessor.  I have my own personal relationship with my Creator.  

Because of this new-covenant relationship, formed through Christ's obedience to His Father's will even unto death, God can speak directly into my life.  As I walk in the light, keeping step with His Spirit, He leads me down paths of righteousness for His namesake. (Galatians 5:18, Psalm 23:3)  He never leads me into sin, but instead cultivates His fruit in me.(v 22-23) In His time, He reveals areas of sin which I need to surrender to Him for His glory. (v 24)

Many times I get this mixed up. Either I expect someone around me to notify me when I'm off-track, or I think it's my job to do the same for others.  In reality, this is the role of God's Spirit.  I like how Oswald Chambers explained it: "One of our severest lessons comes from the stubborn refusal to see that we must not interfere in other people's lives. . . When you do have to give advice to another, God will advise through you with the direct understanding of His Spirit; your part is to be so rightly related to God that His discernment comes through you all the time for the blessing of another soul."

My sole job is to keep in-tune with God, walking in step with Him so that I'll recognize and respond to His correction in my thoughts, words, and actions.  Additionally, when I'm rightly related to Him, I will only speak into another's life under His direct guidance.  When I am grieved by someone's indiscretion, I can be sure that God is taking care of it in the same way He does for me.

Jesus returned to His Father so the Counselor could come and remind me constantly that I am a sinner saved by grace.

Reveals Righteousness

I can spend a lifetime trying to impress God.  My heart desires to do His will, living my life in a way that pleases Him.  As time goes on, though, I see how futile are my efforts. Try as I might, I just can't do right. (Romans 7:19)

Thankfully, Jesus came to free me from slavery to my sinful nature.  The One who is truly righteous and holy took the punishment for my transgressions, freeing me from the bondage of sin and death.  As I entered into a relationship with Christ, accepting the salvation offered through faith, His righteousness became mine.  In the eyes of God, my sin is covered by the cleansing blood of Jesus, making me appear to Him as holy and pure.

Apart from Jesus, however, I am not sinless.  Instead, I am plagued with this flesh of selfish desires.  I am not capable of living right.  How then can I ever hope to please God, pursuing perfection and maturity in this life? (1 Peter 1:16)

Jesus did not leave me helpless in the futility of my sinful flesh.  Instead, He left me with a Counselor, the Holy Spirit, who brings a righteousness into my heart.  As I walk in step with Him, paying attention to His leading, He will produce fruit in my life; fruit that reveals the nature of God Himself.  Then I will notice the ability to love the unlovable. A joy will fill my being in the midst of strife when I let His Spirit lead.  Peace will rule my soul as His Spirit has His way in my life.  

When I let God's Spirit direct my paths, I'll discover a new-found patience and tolerance for others. As the Spirit takes the lead, kindness, goodness and gentleness will flow out of my naturally cruel, wicked and rough exterior.  Where once fear, doubt and self-indulgence ruled, God's Spirit makes way for authentic, faithful, and self-controlled living.

I cannot fake righteousness.  Instead, it is only revealed in my life through the exposure of the characteristics of the indwelling Spirit.  As He works to chisel away more of my flesh, then more of His righteousness is made known.

Jesus returned to the Father so the Counselor could come and empower me to live in a way that pleases Him.

Demonstrates Judgement

Murder.  Kidnapping.  Sex Trafficking.  Child Pornography.  Drug Addiction.  Alcoholism.  These are a few examples of the evils of the world in which we live.  The fallout from the work of the Evil One is all around me.  Lives are shattered, hearts are broken, families are fragmented, children are suffering.  If I didn't know any better, I'd think that Satan had won.

Through the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life, however, the guilt and punishment awaiting the Prince of this world has been made plain.  I can rest assured that he will get what's coming to him and that no sin will go unpunished.  For those who follow Jesus, He took that punishment.  But for those who refused His saving grace, the eternal death sentence has been handed down.

As the great deceiver and author of evil, Satan has nothing but bondage, suffering and torment to look forward to for all of eternity. (Revelation 20:10)  God is a just God.

How does this affect me as I live my life in the here and now?  I can trust that God will not let injustice pass unnoticed.  When it seems evil is winning, I can remind myself that God's judgement over Satan is coming.  During the times when I feel overwhelmed with the hurting and suffering caused by the darkness of this world, I can trust God to bring justice in the end.

Jesus returned to the Father so the Counselor could come to demonstrate His judgement over Satan.

I hear a lot being said about Jesus and His role in my salvation, but I cannot overlook the importance of the Holy Spirit who convicts me of my sin, produces His righteous fruit in my life, and displays the judgement that Satan has awaiting him.   In the words of the 19th century missionary to China, "We have given too much attention to methods and to machinery and to resources, and too little to the Source of Power, the filling with the Holy Ghost."  The Counselor is my constant companion and supply of power:  Without Him, I am impotent.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust completely in God's Spirit to equip and empower me to live for Him.

How do I try to take on His role of convicting by pointing out sin in others, thus getting in the way of God's Sovereign work?

When do I feel despair at the work Satan is doing around me?