+DEV+ Don't Try Harder

Date: May 23, 2010 10:31 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Don't Try Harder

Don't Try Harder

"May God himself sanctify you. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ . . ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
Scripture Focus: Galatians 5:16-26

God has declared that we are righteous through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. But most of us would admit that our thoughts, words, and deeds don't always match what God has declared us to be.

So we make resolutions to change. We want to be more loving, more patient, more kind, more self-controlled. We purpose to try harder, work smarter, and do better. And...we fail, over and over again.

Just as we can't declare ourselves righteous by our own efforts, we also cannot make ourselves righteous without surrendering to the Holy Spirit.

God first revealed Himself as Jehovah MeKoddishkem, the LORD who Sanctifies us, when He instituted the weekly Sabbath day of rest for His people. It's a reminder to rest in Him as He works in our lives to make us all He intends us to be.

As we surrender to Him, He works on us and in us so that our behavior begins to match what He has already declared us to be: a new creation.

Insight: Which fruit of the Spirit are you lacking? Surrender to the Holy Spirit so that He may produce that fruit in you.