Ephesians 3:14-19
There's so much in this passage that I may have to come back to it again tomorrow...
Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is that, out of God's riches, he would strengthen them with power through the Holy Spirit in their inner beings. I think we've forgotten how to rely on the Spirit. The results are devastating.
Just this week I was again confronted by the pain of sin. My heart literally ached as I started to think about all the people that have come to me in just the last little while who have failed - especially in the area of sexual immorality. As I read the pain in their eyes and see the effects it is having on their relationships I can't help but think over and over: this cannot be what God intended when he created us. It seems that they've tried really hard and even as I talk to them they all seem to have some sort of plan for "never doing that again." I think that's what makes this all the more sad - the grip of sin is too tight and I know that they cannot escape despite their best efforts.
We need God to strengthen us with power through his Spirit in our inner being. We can't escape it on our own. I wonder if we are reaping the results of a cultural Christianity. We have been taught for so long that being a Christian is all about acting a certain way and attending worship gatherings - basically conforming to the patterns and rythm's of a cultural group. Paul and Jesus make it clear that being a Christian is actually all about a complete surrender, a recognition that I can't control my life and live up to the standard of holiness and perfection that God demands. It is an invitation for Christ to take over my life and for the Holy Spirit to invade and take residence in my "inner being." It is a submission to his control, his guidance, his prompting. It is allowing Christ to dwell (the NIV notes say "to be completely at home") in my heart through faith. He is completely at home because I am his - he has full and complete access.
So, here's the big question: how do we get there? How do I (because I also have been mostly living off of sheer will power to resist sin and that only lasts so long) allow the Holy Spirit into my "inner being"? How do I lean on the strength and power of God and stop leaning on my own?
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2 comments:
You ended your post with the exact question that I arrived it. I know the grip of sin, and have experienced that pain of trying to wrestle free. The first thing that comes to mind, dealing with sin or even simply discipleship is simply community, and confession. The next thing is creating a lifestyle with practices and habits that cultivate it. I think this encompasses more than guiet time, but all of our habits, routines, choices, etc... (An example I am thinking of right now is how often is our house quiet, and how much should it be, and how do we cultivate that.) These I recognize are broad areas, but this is a question we need to engage!!!!
By the way. Our company which was sleeping next to the computer is now gone so this week should allow me to blog more regular. I'm loving the concept.
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