|
|
|
|
The Power To Please God Heb 11:1 (KJV) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The old cliché “It is hard to teach an old dog a new trick” is often found to be true as people grow into what they think they know to be certain, instead of growing by walking with God. But for Christians, as well as unbelievers, the need for change soon becomes evident when the old way of doing something no longer brings the expected results. To keep trying to accomplish something a certain way without success is ludicrous, but those who invoke God by faith and seek to walk by His Spirit can hope for the understanding to make the changes and to gain the power to come into them. God never changes, but we are continually being changed more and more into His image. Those changes are not usually automatic, neither are they usually easy. More times than not we must reach the end of our own strength before we can receive His. The carnal, or natural way of thinking, is blind to the spiritual understanding that can be received only by the born again part of a Christian. Therefore, we can see that our natural way of doing things must be abandoned, and a setting of our focus upon the instruction of the Lord is our only hope. Rom 8:5-8 (KJV) “(5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Are we trying to please God? It is easy to inadvertently set our hope upon ourselves when we seek to follow God by the letter of the law. The “Do this,” “Don’t do that” mentality can lead to a judgmental attitude toward ourselves and towards others. Even if we follow the law with total success, we could still be lacking the element most needed: that is love. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, not God so judged the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Those who have received Christ have received the love and the Spirit of God. If we have received such a great gift, we should be glad to reciprocate with giving to enhance that new relationship. Being a Christian is more relationship than it is following rules. The beauty of this adventure is found when we stop trying to perform and choose rather to be motivated by the desire to know and love God more each day. Perhaps we don’t know how to do that. But we do know that His word says that if we humble ourselves and seek Him, He will reveal to us the wisdom and understanding, and the power to make it happen. Heb 11:5-6 (KJV) “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. (6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” -Kurt Thurston December Newsletter 2006 | Biblical Separation | Fire Baptism part 2 of 3 Pastor's Journal December 2005 | The Power to Please God | Missions
|
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
|
|
Copyright © 1995-2007 Living Word Christian
Fellowship, Inc.
|
