Though we help each other in our faith walk, our walk with God is very much personal. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says: “For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive (his pay) according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil, (considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with and given himself and his attention to accomplishing)” (AMP)
The above scripture pretty much says it all. We’ll all stand, one after the other, before God to receive our rewards. If we’re going to receive our rewards like this, it also means all we’re doing on earth are been recorded into our personal account in heaven, even if we’re called to work as a body, as a team, here on earth.
So, we go to God in prayer for ourselves. We read the Word for ourselves. We do our Christian work/walk for ourselves. We don’t show up in church with an attitude that says things like: “well, the church needs me” or “the pastor doesn’t even care about people that are putting in so much” or “today I don’t have to go for prayer meeting because the church activities are just too much” or “if this person who I respect so much can do this or not do this, then I don’t really have to feel bad for doing it or not doing it.”
You see that last thought, I mean the one that says: “if this person who I respect so much can do this or not do this, then I don’t really have to feel bad for doing it or not doing it”…OK, hold this particular thought right there, because this is what I really want to talk about.
Let me begin by asking a question:
What is God calling you out from, or calling you into…that you’re refusing to let go of or step into?
What are those things you feel you should let go of? Is it the kind of music you listen to? Is it the books you spend countless hours to consume? Is it the television shows that produce every other thing but nothing positive for your emotions? Is it that friend that makes you wear a fake identity every single time? What lifestyle is God calling you out of? What is it? I really don’t have to go on and on and on and on, because if you have a walk with God you’ll know what He wants you to let go of. When you pray, you’ll find yourself wishing you don’t do those things. When you listen to the preacher, his words will tell you to let go of those things, even if the preacher didn’t mention them at all. When you read Bible, you’ll see a version of you that wants to let go of those things.
Maybe, it’s just something God is laying in your heart for you to do. What is it? I know you know what that is, because it literally hunts you. Everywhere you turn, there it is. Is God leading you to go back to school? Is He leading you to start a business? Do you have a strong conviction to work for the elderly? What value is God leading you to adopt?
When you know God is leading you out of something or moving you into something, what is your first reaction? Do you just wave it off, thinking: “It doesn’t really matter.” “It doesn’t take all of that.” “Other Christians I know and even respects don’t really go to the extreme like this.” “So many persons are already doing that, I don’t want to be a copycat.” “If God wants it to be, then it will be…eventually.”
What’s your reason for not obeying God?
What’s your reason? What’s your reason? What’s your actual reason? It’s good to find out, because when you find out the actual reason, you’re one step towards getting over that reason.
Most times we know and are beyond sure that we’re suppose to let go of something because the Holy Spirit has told us to, but because we see other Christians we respect and hold in VERY HIGH esteem holding unto that thing, we just refuse to let go. We say to ourselves: “But she’s doing it, and she’s a respected leader in church.” “My pastor is a man of God, but he still talks like that too.” “So, why should I let go?”
Or maybe we ask question like: “Why should I do something like this that will draw attention to me?” And say things like: “People will put the pastor tag on me, and so many Christians are misbehaving out there…I don’t want to be tagged along with them. I’m OK being a Christian in my little corner.”
I have a simple question for you, who is your Lord?
Who is the Lord of your life, people or Jesus?
Galatians 1:10 says: “Now, am I trying to win the favour of men or God? Do I seek to be a man-pleaser? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond-servant of Christ, the Messiah” (AMP)
Our focus should be to please God, not men. We have to move past the stage of thinking about man’s opinions. Stop looking at another person and wondering: “If this is not good or if this is good why is this respected Christian still doing it or not doing it?” God might have asked that person to ‘let go’ or ‘step in,’ but the person is just living in disobedience and doing what will please him/her and not God.
Or maybe, just maybe…God is just giving you a personal instruction that is exclusively for you because of what He created you for. So are you just going to refuse God’s calling in/on your life, because of people’s way of life and opinions?
So you’re not necessarily living for the devil, but you really don’t want to do what God will have you do. You just want to exist in that little grey area, where you’re not cold and definitely not hot. Well, maybe we should read Revelation 3:16 to see what God has to say about this:
“So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spue you out of My mouth!” (AMP)
Like I always like to say, there are no in-betweens. If you’re not doing what God wants you to do, then you’re, undoubtedly, doing what the devil wants you to do.
The world, and sometimes, other Christians insist that it’s OK and even beautiful. But, you know you; you have your personal walk with God. When you indulge in it, what is the outcome? Is it positive or negative? As a matter of fact, how do you feel? Do you feel closer to God or a bit removed from Him? Do you enjoy the sweet presence of the Trinity? You have to live your own beautiful. Live the beautiful God has given you. Your ugly might be the world’s most beautiful and that’s totally fine. It doesn’t make you weird, boring, awkward, uncool, a wallflower, or foolish…it makes you unique. It makes you…you. It makes you fit, perfectly, into God’s plan for your life.
Stop living in Disobedience
The Bible tells us that we are the clay and our heavenly Father is the Potter. We are the works of His mighty hands. He leads; we follow. We’re supposed to yield to Him, always. Our obedience is very important to God, because if we don’t obey He can’t lead us. If we don’t yield, He can’t make us into His masterpiece. He wants us to obey; He wants us to yield, not because we’re scared of Him but because we Love Him (“if you really love Me you will…obey My commands” John 14:15 AMP). Nonetheless, when we refuse to do what He wants us to do, we’re living in disobedience.
Samuel told Saul, who felt he was going to get God’s approval for offering fat sacrifices, but neglecting God’s instructions, “…to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22). When your entire mind, body and soul conform to His will, you’ll be giving Him the greatest worship He requires from you.
Also, James 4:17 tells us: “…any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is a sin” (AMP)
The gospel of Luke 11:28 says: “…blessed—happy and to be envied—rather are they who hear the Word of God and obey and practice it” (AMP)
You have to Trust God
Again, who is the Lord of your life, people or Jesus?
If your answer is Jesus, then you have to do what the Father is asking you to do, no matter what it is. The Bible tells us that we are for His pleasure. Now this doesn’t mean He bosses us around. Everything He does in and through us is entirely for our own good. He created us. When He’s leading us from something or into something, it is what is best for us, and that’s exactly what He wants us to get—the best…the very best.
Jeremiah 29:11 says: “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace, and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome” (AMP)
You have to be bold and fearless and confident in your trust in God’s Power, Goodness and Wisdom. If God is leading you “out” or “in”, ignore any and every one, ignore any and every thing…and just yield to God.
“Be alert and on your guard, stand firm in your faith (that is in your conviction respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it)…be courageous. Grow in strength” 1 Corinthians 16:13 (AMP)
Depend on the Holy Spirit
“Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of Grace…that we may receive mercy (for our failures) and find Grace to help in good time for every need…” Hebrews 4:16 (AMP)
We can never do anything on our own. When we have a leading from God to “let go” or “step in” we need to go to God in prayer and ask for help. When we ask for help, the Holy Spirit comes to our aid. The Holy Spirit is our Helper. When we get instructions from God, we are supposed to depend on the Holy Spirit to help us. When we acknowledge His presence, and yield to His leadership, no force whatsoever can keep us from “letting go”, and “stepping in.”
God wouldn’t want you to criticize others
As the Holy Spirit is working in us, we need to understand that others also need His touch and help. You shouldn’t look at other people funny, just because they’re still holding on to things you’re not holding on to any more. You shouldn’t criticize others because you think they should be doing more for the kingdom but aren’t. God wouldn’t want you to do that. If people’s actions and lifestyle lies as a burden in your heart, take those people and their lifestyle and your burden to God. Drop them at the feet of Jesus and leave it there, because this is what God wants us to do. First, God will surely take your burden away and then He’ll do a far better work than you can ever do in those people, and He might even do it through you. But, if your heart is out to criticize and not to see people become better, God wouldn’t bring you in on the job (SEE Galatians 6:1, Romans 14).
My prayer for you:
I pray you keep hushing all the demons that are keeping you from “letting go” and “stepping in.” Most importantly, I pray that you release the Spirit of Power that’s already in you…as you keep saying “yes” to God’s specific instructions to you…as you keep saying “yes” to the “beautifuls” God brings your way.
Amen.
Get in the gym, and do
Stay Spiritually Fit.
