The cleaning agent for our smoked glass is our obedience, and is what aligns us with the Father. We feel His pleasure.

10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool [we want to learn; we want to please].

Most Americans cannot conceive being a slave with no rights whatsoever. Even those whose ancestors were slaves have likely never been a slave or the son of a slave. Yet, we are either slaves to sin or slaves to righteousness. Jesus said,

“Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” John 8:34

We have it on good authority (the Word of God) that every person who ever lived has sinned, which means that all mankind is a slave to sin,

⁹ What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. ¹⁰ As it is written:

“There is no one righteous, not even one;
¹¹     there is no one who understands;
    there is no one who seeks God.
¹² All have turned away,
    they have together become worthless [gone astray];
there is no one who does good,
    not even one.” [Psalms 14:1-3, Isaiah 53:3]

But, those who are in Christ have been set free from the yoke of slavery through the death and resurrection of Jesus. We have been given His righteousness! We have been given a new nature! We have been given His Spirit! Our fellowship with Him should be enough for us to realize that we are free to serve our Lord even as we converse with Him. On top of that, He teaches us how to be righteous and holy. What master does that?! God does!!! Paul exhorts us:

Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. Romans 6:19b

In the vernacular, “Just as you threw yourselves into wickedness and revelry, use that same energy toward righteousness. You will become holy in the process.”

How do we “produce” this energy and zeal? We don’t; the Spirit does.

¹³ [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the desire and power], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. Philippians 2:13 AMP

We must connect with Him daily through His Word and constantly throughout the day. Thank You, Jesus for Your Spirit!

⁵ When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death. ⁶ But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit. Romans 7:5-6 NLT

Walk with Him today. Hear what He says. Do what He says and go where He directs. I promise you that the reward of His presence and participation in your life is worth far more than anything else you’re doing today! In fact, here are three analogies for trying to explain this process:

1. An air duct: When our vent is open, He fills our rooms with the fragrance and aroma of Christ;
2. A conduit: When our valve is turned wide open, He floods us with living water;
3. A smoked glass: As we obey the Spirit, our glass becomes a little clearer. We see Christ a little better, and recognize what righteousness is, along with holiness. In the process, we realize the amenities of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) far outweigh anything in this world.

Let’s be happy slaves to Jesus!*

Abba, may we open our lives to You in all ways so that Your Spirit can flow through us in the form of love, joy and peace. As we revel in these feelings, may we be obedient as You teach us to be patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and to always use self-control. May Your righteousness and truth be our foundation. Teach us and grow us, Abba. Amen.

*Exodus 21:5-6 Pierce My Ear