How To Be Obedient, God's Way

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(Excerpt from Cheryl Gnagey's Spiritual Healing:  The Surrender That Brings Victory, Chapter 9)

We are taught from a very young age that we not only can accomplish things, but it is better if you do it all by yourself.   This sounds like good instruction, but it does so because this has been ingrained in us since we began to hold our own bottles at feeding time.  But God's word does not teach that at all.  As a matter of fact, He tells us this in Zechariah 4:6 instead:

  

"Not by [your] might, nor by [your] power, but by MY SPIRIT, says the Lord of Hosts."

 "Here's the problem that most of us have when it comes to surrendering to God so that we might obey His every command.  We tend to try to do it in our own power.  In other words, we try to surrender the flesh--BY THE FLESH!  You have already heard that nothing good resides in your flesh, yet you are probably guilty of trying to surrender by your own fleshly power and strength anyway.  You have also likely discovered that surrender by way of the flesh is fruitless.  If you think that isn't true, then just think of one New Year's resolution in which you have succeeded for life!

It bears repeating.  We can only accomplish surrender to God in one way--God's way!  We must come to the place where we allow God to change our hearts and minds so that we understand that repentance--the intentional turning from sin--that flows from a heart that God is changing, is required of every God-seeking believer.  When we allow God to work in our hearts and minds we are set free to act upon the work He has already done within us--the heart-transforming act of placing the life of Christ in us by way of the Holy Spirit.  Because of this one action, we can fix our gaze on Him and turn away from our sin instead.  This is how we die to our flesh.

It is at the veil that divides the Inner Court from the Holy of Holies where the crucifixions of our flesh will take place.  When the veil of your heart that keeps you from fully surrendering to God is removed, then you will be enabled to become a fruit- bearer of the  greatest kind!  But if your walk lacks crucified flesh, then your flesh will remain in its state of decline, ruling over your thoughts, words, and deeds.  If you choose against the surrender that involves the crucifying of your sinful flesh, then you will become useless to God, and your 'religion' will be dead.  Remember, the flesh is death to you, but the Spirit is life."

We can do it, but not alone!  Our part is to surrender to the Spirit in us, and then He accomplishes obedience through us.  Any changes we make on our own can never be heart-transforming because our flesh is made of nothing good. Changing us is the work of the Spirit within us.  Only He can change your heart.

THE RESURRECTED LIFE -- Day 37

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Day 37:  Saul and Ananias (Acts 9: 1-22)

Saul hated all Christians, and he wanted them dead.  They threatened the belief system upon which he had built his entire life.  He was more than happy to be used by his God to put an end to their destructive ways that threatened his religion.  As he traveled to Damascus, he had the support of the Jewish priests to bring all traitors of the Law back to Jerusalem.  He reveled in his thoughts while he approached Damascus, but suddenly his thoughts came to an abrupt halt.  The brightest light he had ever seen flashed around him, and being unable to withstand the power of it, he fell to the ground.  The men with him were startled as well, but it was the Voice that came from heaven that rendered them all speechless.  “Saul, Saul why are you persecuting Me?”

Who was this who knew him by name, Saul questioned with great fear in his heart.  Yet, something inside of him knew it was Jesus.  Getting up from the ground Saul quickly realized that he had been blinded, perhaps by the bright light itself.  The men that were with him led him into Damascus, and it was there that he waited for more instruction from the Lord.  Saul then chose to neither eat nor drink for the next three days.

Ananias was told by God to go to the place where Saul was staying.  Struggling with his assignment, he questioned the validity of Saul’s conversion.  He knew all too well of Saul’s brutality toward the believers in Jerusalem.  But God had clarified to him what Saul’s mission would be—he would be used to bring Jesus and salvation to the Gentiles.  God deemed Saul a “chosen instrument,” much to Ananias’ surprise.

Arriving at the house where Saul was staying, Ananias confirmed Jesus’ involvement in both of their lives.  Immediately Saul could see again, he was baptized by Ananias, and he began to prove to the Christians in Damascus that he solemnly believed that Jesus truly was the Messiah.

Do you think (like Saul might have) that your sins have been too great to be completely forgiven, let alone to be used by God for ministry?  Do you use that as an excuse to not serve Him as He desires?  Do you question the validity of the salvation of those who have greatly sinned?  Do you support those who are newly saved?  Are you a chosen vessel?