Christianity is not a DIY project. Let’s quit trying to do it ourselves.

12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.

Yesterday, we talked about what it means to “die to self.” Today, we are tempering that exercise by making sure that we are not trying in our own power. We were never designed to generate our own righteousness. When Adam and Eve were created, they were given a natural righteousness. That righteousness was lost when Eve was deceived and Adam sinned. Jesus came to restore that righteousness, but it’s better than that. He came to instill His Spirit in us so that we never have to worry about losing that righteousness again!

• In Colossians 1:27, we are told that the mystery of the ages is “Christ in us, the hope of glory.”
• In John 5:21, we are told that Jesus is pleased with whomever He gives life, which is us.
• In Ephesians 1:5, we are told that it was/is the Father’s pleasure to adopt us as His children through Jesus Christ.
• In Philippians 2:13, we are told that God works in us energizing and creating in us the power and even the desire “to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.”

The purpose of the cross was to reconnect us relationally and to energize us spiritually so that we could enjoy the Fellowship of the Trinity. God is interested in everything we do, even our words–even our thoughts! He wants us to involve Him in everything.

God has an opinion on everything, so let’s ask Him.

Look at this:

¹² What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³ This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.

God wants us to learn about Him, our salvation, His Plan for the world and for people. He wants to teach us by His Spirit. Let’s read a passage of Scripture and then ask the Lord about it. Then, we pause and ponder. I write down my thoughts at that point asking the Holy Spirit to help me tie loose ends together. Let’s not worry about doing God’s will. If we are walking in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25), then we will automatically do God’s will as we run across it. In fact, you ARE doing His will, which is to abide in Him. Walking with Christ is being in His will.

Abba, You are true to Your word. You said that You would never leave us nor forsake us, that You would guide us into all truth, and that You would fill us with Your Spirit until we are pressed down, shaken together, and running over with You, Your righteousness, and Your love for people. May we enjoy sweet fellowship with You even as we walk with You doing whatever You point out for us to do. Amen.