Romans 8:12-14
So, dear brothers, you have no
obligations whatever to your old sinful nature to do what it begs you to
do. For if you keep on following it you are lost and will perish, but
if through the power of the Holy Spirit you crush it and its evil deeds,
you shall live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of
God.
The Living Bible
copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights
reserved.
Some 20 years ago, Greg and I would have been
spending summer Sunday afternoons out on the lake, with our pontoon boat tied
together with several other pontoons and a ski boat or two. We would be
with our friends, soaking up the sun and enjoying our beautiful crystal
clear lake. This morning at church, one of our “boat buddies” (who is
now the father of four children ages 2-10) said, “I no longer tie up in a
cove like we used to do…it’s too dangerous for kids.” Greg and I no
longer even own a boat. We take our children to the indoor pool at the
local Aquatic Center. Times have changed…and we have changed with them!
We
could buy another boat and go back to the cove on the lake with our
friends. Some have grown children now…others have small, young
families. It would be the same – yet different…and we are not bound to
keep doing what we always did. Life changes, and we change with it.
In
the same way, we are not bound to continue our old sinful ways once we
give our hearts and lives to Jesus. We have a new focus…new interests…a
new way of doing things. You may be one of those people who really had
a pretty good life as a sinner. You didn’t break rules…you were kind
to others and cared about their needs…you observed the laws, went to
church, and “did all the right things.” It might seem like your “old
life” was not all that different from the new one…that doing what you
always did would not really be that bad even now.
Here’s the
difference…the power of the Holy Spirit. Because of the commitment you
made to Jesus…and His Holy Spirit working in and through you…everything
about your “new life” is better. “New and improved” are the words of
the day. It may not feel all that different…but your focus HAS shifted –
or it should have. Instead of just going through the motions, you
should now be calling on the Holy Spirit to guide your days…direct your
paths…ordain your thoughts, words and actions. Where you once muddled
through each day, He now gives you a life of “intention”…a holy
purpose…and the promise of Eternal Life.
I sometimes think an
afternoon on the lake would be fun. But then I think about the heat and
sunburn…all of the gear to load and unload…the worry of making sure
that the kids stayed safe…and I am totally content with things as they
are. And I wouldn’t trade my “new life in Christ” and the company of
the Holy Spirit for a single second of the “old life” as a sinner.
All
I have to do is think of how glorious “life” will be in Paradise for
all eternity…and how carefully God tends to my every need in this life
through His Holy Spirit, and I know that this is the life for me…forever
and ever. What about you?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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