In 1992, H. Ross Perot ran for the Presidency. His third party candidacy was built around “Perotisms” that were down to earth, folksy challenges to complex political thinking. He dragged his charts onto stages where he pointed to them while declaring, “It’s simple, see.” He was truthful and deceptive at the same time. His analysis was often right on target, but he never told the rest of the story; how his solutions would ripple down through the country. Much the same kind of thing is happening in political discourse this electoral cycle. Solutions are being offered for our various social challenges that sound simple, but that have far-reaching consequences that are seldom discussed!
Christians who say that our choices as Jesus’ disciples are simple are not being completely truthful, either. Discerning what is right and wrong is usually simple, but making a commitment to do the right thing consistently is much more difficult, isn’t it? We all know how to live better than we really do, don’t we? We can all identify with these words from Scripture, "I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway." (Romans 7:18-19, NLT)
So, should we just throw up our hands and ‘go with the flow’ in life? Because the choices of discipleship are hard, should we just be content with ‘doing our best and forgetting the rest’ as some suggest? Not at all! God knows the difficulties of daily discipleship and He has given us a Helper, His Holy Spirit. The Word urges us to let the Spirit set the pace: "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25, NIV) Devising rules and reducing life’s complex situations to slogans as a means of controlling actions, our own and those of others, will turn us into Pharisees. Our religion will leave us blind to our hypocrisy and others dead to God! The Bible tells us that the Lord "has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 3:6, NIV)
Are you working through a complex situation in your life?
Do you know the right thing to do, but don’t know how to get it done?
Are you challenged by the difficulty of applying the Truth to some set of circumstances that confront you or your family?
Seek the Spirit’s guidance! Listen carefully to His voice and make the choice to obey today. The very first generation of Christians was given a mandate that was impossible then and remains impossible even today. Jesus told them and He tells us -“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel, making disciples.” In one way, it’s a simple command. But doing it effectively, producing lasting spiritual results, is terribly difficult. But, we are not left to our own wits. We are not just practicing a religion. We are given the Holy Spirit Who lives in us and guides us into all Truth. After commissioning His disciples with a tough task, Jesus told them “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before." (Acts 1:4, NLT) Are we ready to wait for Heaven’s lead?
Here’s a word from the Word. Live it today. "But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you." (John 16:13-14, The Message)
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There's a wind blowin',
All across the land.
Fragrant breeze of heaven
Blowin' once again.
Don't know where it comes from,
Don't know where it goes,
But let it blow over me.
Oh, sweet wind,
Come and blow over me.
There's a rain a pourin',
Showers from above.
Mercy drops are comin',
Mercy drops of love.
Turn your face to heaven,
Let the water pour,
Well let it pour over me.
Oh, sweet rain,
Come and pour over me.
There's a fire burnin',
Fallin' from the sky.
Awesome tongues of fire
Consuming you and I.
Can you feel it burnin',
Burn the sacrifice,
Well let it burn over me.
Oh, sweet fire,
Come and burn over me.
Sweet Wind
Ruis, David
© 1994 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Music Services)
CCLI License No. 810055
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