Category: Walk in the Spirit

Unspeakable Situations

On By Susan Cort JohnsonIn Growing in Christ, Walk in the Spirit2 Comments

     I am in a walk-off-into-the-sunset mood. I have this issue I haven’t been able to resolve, and it is creating all sorts of emotions I wish I didn’t have but I do. And I am struggling.

     Hopefully, I look godly on the outside because God knows I am not so godly on the inside. I remember 2 Peter 1:3—”His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” NIV

     Yet, I am lacking. I have not really taken time to chase down what the apostle Peter meant by this statement and thus I am a needy person.

     The title to a book on the shelf next to my desk is “The Practice of Godliness” by Jerry Bridges. I read on the cover that over 600,000 copies have been sold. In book sales I know that is a lot, but in Christian tallies (about 210 million in the U.S.) that is only a few. Of course, you can buy a book and set it on a shelf. I wonder how many copies sold have been read?

     My plight is difficult to explain. I can slap several Scriptures on why I am not supposed to feel this way.

     What do you do when you cannot confide in anyone? When there is no one with which you can share your feelings freely without being misunderstood? Without receiving advice you already know but can’t process?

You talk to your one and only true confident, God.

1 Peter 5:6-7

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” ESV

I have been doing everything I can to make the situation better but it only gets worse. And as the situation plummets so does my attitude. But God can stop the freefall.

One of the Scriptures I have been skirting is Phil 2:14- “Do all things without grumbling or questioning.”

My grumbling and questioning have been pointed toward God. He has not chosen to solve my problem and I feel like the fighter going down on the mat for the count.

But then I come across something that lifts my spirit. Permission for healthy lament. Although the lament is in the context of community it seems to fit my situation. The sticky statement pulled from the text in the margin reads: “Being able to talk through what we’re going through is a key to our mental, physical and spiritual health.”1

Therefore, I am talking through my situation with God. Already my attitude is changing, He is lifting me up.

I know the problem needs a work of the Spirit. Peter explained it. It is Christ’s divine power that gives us everything we need. Power is “dunamis” in koine Greek, which is miraculous power usually by implication, a miracle itself.2

So, I am talking to the one who works miracles… God. Miracles not only in our situations but in our souls. I cast my anxieties on Him in my lament. He is changing my perspective, so the complaints are addressed. While the problem remains, my viewpoint is shifting.

What may be unspeakable to mere humans is always a conversation we can have with God.

Let’s Talk:

1-How has your attitude changed when you have taken your problem to God?

2-What miracles, minor or major, have occurred after your talk?

Resources:

1-The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ, A Study of Philippians by Beth Moore and Melissa Moore. Published by Living Proof Ministries Houston, TX. Page 71.

2- Interlinear Transliterated Bible by Biblesoft, Inc.

In Obedience We Become Our Best

On By Susan Cort JohnsonIn Walk in the SpiritLeave a comment

     I did a little research on the Internet to see why rebels are popular characters in novels and movies. One author wrote, “Everybody loves a bad boy.”

     We often elevate the “free spirit” or “mischievous” giving them accolades for being “unique” or more “imaginative.”

     Those who “color outside the lines” are esteemed. This idiom implies rules are not followed, thought processes are more creative, and behavior is unconventional.1

     Yet the Bible teaches it is in obedience that we become Christ-like, the image of God just as we were created.

     Jen Wilkin writes in her book “Ten Words to Live By,” “Lawfulness is Christlikeness. To obey the law is to look like Jesus Christ.” She adds that legalism is a form of lawlessness because it is external righteousness only, not true transformation.2

     Often, we equate obedience with legalism, but Jesus tells us, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” [John 14:15]

     John 15:9-10—“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.”

     Abide in the original Greek is meno, which is to remain in or with someone. It is to remain united with Christ, one with Him in heart, mind, and will. To remain steadfast, persevering in Christ’s love.3  

     The apostle John writes: “This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”

     Equating obedience with agape love, that intense, intelligent love that wills the best for another, causes me to seek guidance from my Helper, my Counselor, the Holy Spirit. Agape love is an act of the will but it can’t be accomplished by willpower. It is a work of the Spirit within us.

     When I follow Scripture, I do what is best for others and that brings glory to God for I reflect Him.

We want to bring Him glory because we love Him, and we do so by becoming the people He created in His image. And His Word tells us what those people look like.

They are people who make decisions with the best interest of others in mind.

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Phil 2:4

They are people who willingly give others a cup of sugar or money even though the borrower may not pay them back.

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Luke 6:35

     They are prepared to give the message of salvation through Jesus Christ not wanting anyone to perish.

     But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

     It is in obedience to God’s Word that we are just like our Father.

Let’s Talk:

1-How has the Holy Spirit helped you understand how to put Scripture into practice?

2-What lessons has the Holy Spirit taught you about walking in love?

References:

1-grammarist.com.

2-Ten Words to Live By, Delighting in and Doing What God Commands by Jen Wilkin. Published by Crossway in Wheaton, Ill.

3-The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament by Spiros Zodhiates Th.D.