Depending on the Holy Spirit
Galatians 2:20
Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. The Message
We are on a journey! God gives us spiritual road markers that mark our progress in our walk with the Lord. We are all unbelievers, even when born into a Christian home. Unbelief is universal. Then Salvation is the first marker. It marks the transition from unbeliever to belief in Jesus as Saviour. As we grow, as a child does, our spiritual growth increases, and our faith increases in proportion to our service to the Lord.
John 13:35
"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other." The Message
James 2:17
Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? The Message
Stage 2: Fruitful Inadequacy
In this stage, God keeps us from being motivated my ego and pride. This is a difficult period of discovery, as we come to grips with our inabilities--- our own strength, wisdom, courage and determination are just not enough! The common attitude is: “Why should I rely on the Holy Spirit if I can succeed on my own merit?” This results in incorrect responses. Instead of admitting our weakness, we try harder! Meanwhile, God is working to bring us to that place of admission and submission, collapsing finally under the weight of our own sufficiency, and falling into the arms of the Holy Spirit! It is His desire that we not work in our own strength, but operate solely under His power.
Stage 3: Spiritual Dependency
The next stage is Spiritual Dependency. The disciples themselves were not powerful enough to strike out on their own even having walked with Jesus for 3 years! The Lord instructed them to stay in the city until they were “clothed with power from on high” the power of the Holy Spirit…
Luke 24:49
“What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high.” The Message
The Holy Spirit lives within every believer, and He works within us to energize us, work through us, supply us with wisdom and power to accomplish God’s purposes every day, no matter what we face!
Questions:
1. How does Proverbs 3:5-6 relate to self-sufficiency versus dependency upon God?
“ Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.”
2. What part of your life have you not relinquished to God’s control?
3. What is your fear in letting Him take charge?
Confess your hesitancy and ask the Lord to help you trust Him with that area.
Galatians 2:20
Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. The Message
We are on a journey! God gives us spiritual road markers that mark our progress in our walk with the Lord. We are all unbelievers, even when born into a Christian home. Unbelief is universal. Then Salvation is the first marker. It marks the transition from unbeliever to belief in Jesus as Saviour. As we grow, as a child does, our spiritual growth increases, and our faith increases in proportion to our service to the Lord.
John 13:35
"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other." The Message
James 2:17
Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? The Message
Stage 2: Fruitful Inadequacy
In this stage, God keeps us from being motivated my ego and pride. This is a difficult period of discovery, as we come to grips with our inabilities--- our own strength, wisdom, courage and determination are just not enough! The common attitude is: “Why should I rely on the Holy Spirit if I can succeed on my own merit?” This results in incorrect responses. Instead of admitting our weakness, we try harder! Meanwhile, God is working to bring us to that place of admission and submission, collapsing finally under the weight of our own sufficiency, and falling into the arms of the Holy Spirit! It is His desire that we not work in our own strength, but operate solely under His power.
Stage 3: Spiritual Dependency
The next stage is Spiritual Dependency. The disciples themselves were not powerful enough to strike out on their own even having walked with Jesus for 3 years! The Lord instructed them to stay in the city until they were “clothed with power from on high” the power of the Holy Spirit…
Luke 24:49
“What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high.” The Message
The Holy Spirit lives within every believer, and He works within us to energize us, work through us, supply us with wisdom and power to accomplish God’s purposes every day, no matter what we face!
Questions:
1. How does Proverbs 3:5-6 relate to self-sufficiency versus dependency upon God?
“ Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.”
2. What part of your life have you not relinquished to God’s control?
3. What is your fear in letting Him take charge?
Confess your hesitancy and ask the Lord to help you trust Him with that area.