At this moment in time, each of us is a product of what we are believing. We are all on our earthly journey with the high calling of Jesus Christ on our lives. We give out what we have taken in, what we have learnt along the way. At times we have taken on board the “commandments of men” and mistakenly thought they were sound doctrine. The sound doctrine of scripture is necessary, (1 Timothy 1:9-11). In Matthew 15:9 Jesus addresses the error of false teaching, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” False teaching produces confusion.
GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF CONFUSION.
1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.”
When I find myself in confusion, it is time to take stock of my life and change direction. The guidance of the Holy Spirit will lead me back into truth, highlighting where my believing error caused me to take a wrong turn, which led to the confusion of my present state. We can only give out to others what we have taken in ourselves. If we have taken in wrong teaching, we will give it out to others, only producing more confusion instead of the joy and peace of the abundant life Jesus promised us. We (and others) may be very sincere in what we believe, but at times, we have all been sincerely wrong. Matthew 7:15-20, records the teaching of Jesus, declaring that a good tree is known by it’s fruit produced. Is what I am believing bringing forth good fruit for the extension of God’s kingdom here on earth? Do I experience the peace of God in my daily life? Simple questions. I know if I have God’s peace within, others will know the quality of the “fruit” my tree is producing, if any!
Romans 8 declares the Believer’s hope we have in Jesus when we walk in the Spirit and allow the Indwelling Christ to operate through us. The humility of a surrendered life will release the flow of His nature to others. His enabling power will provide all the grace, strength and power I need for each day – for every relationship, for every circumstance, for every chore whether it be mundane or otherwise, but it will be ALL FOR HIS GLORY, Our Heavenly Father’s.
After we are “born again” into the kingdom of God, we start to build our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Paul has much to say about how we build, (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). In verse 10 he exhorts us to “take heed” how we build on the foundation for eventually all we have done will be tried in the fire of God. Gold, silver and precious stones will remain but all my works of wood, hay and stubble will be burned up. This scripture demonstrates we have responsibility with our lives to build as the Lord guides. We are not expected to do nothing and totally rely on the sovereignty of God.
GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY GLOVES HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY.
The Holy Spirit of God is the Executor for the will of God on this planet for this dispensation of the church age. He comes to me and initiates something. I am a co-worker with Him. He is the Boss. His plan only works when I am totally dependent and guided by Him, and thus the building process takes place. If I lose track and begin to build for my own interests or vain glory, “wood hay and stubble” is produced to destruction.
The Holy Spirit of God initiates God’s plan, from start to finish He is the Guide and the work is all for God’s glory, not man’s.
When God brings revelation, our spirit witnesses to the Holy Spirit of truth. In responsibility then, we have choice. CHOICE THEN REQUIRES MOVEMENT. Surrender. The foot of the Cross of Jesus Christ is the only place big enough to take all the excess baggage of mankind that causes him to stumble along life’s highway. Our resurrected Lord and Saviour continues to call, “Come unto me all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” Matthew 11:28 He deserves to be the central attraction of my life. Yes, He is my wonderful Saviour, but in my daily choices, I need to crown Him as Lord.
God’s perfect plan was to make an imperfect man, that man’s perfection should be made complete in the Father. Just as Jesus was yoked to His Father, we must be yoked to Jesus. As we learn to live a surrendered life, (surrendering my will for His), the life of God will flow out through us and our onward journey will be joyous.
