Those are some things that convict me to change. To revolutionize the way I live life. I love those feelings. Those convictions. I love changing to become more like Christ. That is my life's passion BUT how often do I really follow through my convictions?
How often do I keep those promises and do what I wanted to do. Sacrifice that time, money, energy for a cause worth giving everything up for.
John 13:36-38 :-
Peter :“Lord, where are you going?”
Jesus :“Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”
Peter :“Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
Jesus :“Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
Hmm, if I were Jesus, I would encourage Peter to go all out but why did Jesus not do that?
He knew that Peter was weak.
He knows that we are weak. Fallible. Prone to wander. Prone to retract on our promises. That when we no longer are dwelling in His presence our real desires pop out. The reality is, I cannot lay down my life. Yes, I am called to but I cannot. Bad news? Yes.
However, praise be to God that the gospel not only demands but enables(yes!) us to lay down our lives! Peter didn't wish for something that was a 'higher order of Christianity' that only few who would be willing would lay down their lives. Instead, in Luke 14, Jesus tells us that unless we lay down our lives and everything we have, we cannot be His disciples! And if you're not His disciple, you are not bearing fruit (John 15:8) and if no fruit is borne, does not abide in Him (John 15:4) and if you do not abide in Him, you are thrown into the fire (John 15:6).
The implications of not laying down your life is very heavy. It costs you your life. And that why Jesus said if you try to save your life, you will lose it but if you lose (lay down) your life, you will gain it.
The solution is : His Spirit! Of the depths of His wisdom and His ways. He is not an abstract God who sits far away and demands us to live out His rules but He enables us. Yes! He lives in us through His Spirit to live out and love those things that our old nature hates. Wow!
It is an honor to lay down my life when I live a life led by the Spirit.
God is most glorified when I am most satisfied in Him!
Peter, after he was empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), he was able to lay down his life boldly. No more did it matter to him if people made fun of him or conspired behind his back. He laid down his life to death; he was martyred for the sake of Christ.
Do I desire to lay down my life? Yes
Can I really lay down my life wholly, even unto death? Not sure. Mostly, no.
Would I be able to? No.
How do I do it? By trusting in Jesus and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal the places where I fail to trust Him to work through my life and instead trust in my flesh!
He knew that Peter was weak.
He knows that we are weak. Fallible. Prone to wander. Prone to retract on our promises. That when we no longer are dwelling in His presence our real desires pop out. The reality is, I cannot lay down my life. Yes, I am called to but I cannot. Bad news? Yes.
However, praise be to God that the gospel not only demands but enables(yes!) us to lay down our lives! Peter didn't wish for something that was a 'higher order of Christianity' that only few who would be willing would lay down their lives. Instead, in Luke 14, Jesus tells us that unless we lay down our lives and everything we have, we cannot be His disciples! And if you're not His disciple, you are not bearing fruit (John 15:8) and if no fruit is borne, does not abide in Him (John 15:4) and if you do not abide in Him, you are thrown into the fire (John 15:6).
The implications of not laying down your life is very heavy. It costs you your life. And that why Jesus said if you try to save your life, you will lose it but if you lose (lay down) your life, you will gain it.
The solution is : His Spirit! Of the depths of His wisdom and His ways. He is not an abstract God who sits far away and demands us to live out His rules but He enables us. Yes! He lives in us through His Spirit to live out and love those things that our old nature hates. Wow!
It is an honor to lay down my life when I live a life led by the Spirit.
God is most glorified when I am most satisfied in Him!
Peter, after he was empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), he was able to lay down his life boldly. No more did it matter to him if people made fun of him or conspired behind his back. He laid down his life to death; he was martyred for the sake of Christ.
Do I desire to lay down my life? Yes
Can I really lay down my life wholly, even unto death? Not sure. Mostly, no.
Would I be able to? No.
How do I do it? By trusting in Jesus and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal the places where I fail to trust Him to work through my life and instead trust in my flesh!
Holy Spirit, help me to give my utmost for your highest. To lay down my life with your strength. I can't do it; at all. No amount of wishful thinking, mental assent or conviction can really help me to lay down my life. Only you can empower me to gladly lay down my life.
Living King Size.
Living King Size.
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