Monday, March 11, 2013

Walking. Just Walking.



 It is a mystery indeed.
I know that God is holy and I know that I am not but how…how do I live in this chasm between Him and me?

Sometimes I think we make Jesus’ story into a movie or a novel with interesting characters and great plot twists. And it plays well as such. He is compelling and the story is fascinating, surprising, heartwarming, heart wrenching. We can leave the theater saying
THAT was a good story
digest our popcorn and go back to futility.

But how do we live this Christian life? How do we move on past the acceptance of His sacrifice and live each day as new, changed, fruit of His labor?

God has explained through the astounding brain and surrendered heart of Paul that it is a give and take, an exchange, a process by which we ease from this world of strife to His Kingdom of light.



Us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:4 

Walking. Just walking.
He challenges us to walk in pace with the Spirit. To learn step by step how to walk each day in this new forgiveness and grace. He knows that a person who is not conditioned or in shape cannot run and the marathon of life is beyond comprehension at the onset. But walking, little by little, building strength, we can do it. You can do it.

You have no good choice really. God says: To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6

Why would we turn away this offer of life and peace? If you are truly in love with your Father God then you must already know that living in step with your flesh, your crazy impulsive feelings and reactionary words never ever brings peace or sustains life. It always results in death: endings, separation, conflict, and sorrow. His Word says the mind of the flesh is enmity against God.

Enmity:
a feeling of hostility or ill will, as between enemies; antagonism… deep-rooted hatred.

Why would we ever allow this to happen? How can we let this God who is love from the beginning of time become our enemy? How can we not bow in obeisance and joyfully follow where the Holy Spirit leads?

Tilt your head to catch his Voice whispering to you. Know the things that have become weapons of war against God your Abba Father.  Tear down the fleshy fattened grotesque ideas and words and habits that have become the foxhole you have suffered in. Surrender to His gentle guidance. He will teach you how to walk into this Kingdom with your head held high.

It makes me laugh with pleasure when I think of enormity of the benefits of walking in His leading, in His Spirit .They are simply:

Life and Peace.
And Family…

you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!”  it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God,  and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:15-17

And because of this adoption: an inheritance.
A promise of a forever love.

Isn’t that what your heart longs for:
 the sweet gift of the growth of life,
the heart soothing voice of peace
and the comfort of family belonging?
I know mine does. Start walking then.




Reference:
The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament
copyright1990
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. 

2 comments:

  1. Well said...and perfectly timed. Thank you.

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  2. So glad. His Word always blesses. I was swimming in the Greek of this chapter this morning. His plan is so perfect isn't it?

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