|
Who Lives Your Life?
Who Lives Your Life? by A K Whitehead
We often hear people make remarks like "I live my life to the
full" or "No one tells me what to do" and so forth. Those who
make such remarks are either worldly people or people whose
attitudes are dominated by the world.
Following The World Things are, or should be, very
different for the Christian. Why? Simply because someone who is
imitating Jesus cannot at the same time be imitating the world.
Revelation 12.9 tells us two interesting facts. The first is
that, when the ancient serpent, or Satan was defeated he was not
consigned to hell but was hurled to the earth, and his angels
with him.
Secondly, we are told that Satan leads the whole world astray.
Consequently, those who follow the world follow Satan. Perhaps
not knowingly, nor willingly. But then, Satan cares little about
how much people know or whether they would do what they do
willingly if they knew differently!
What is the alternative? How do we guard ourselves against being
misled? How do we avoid being duped by Satan?
Following Jesus = Following The Spirit Every Christian
has been given Jesus as his/her model. His is the example we
follow - in everything!
This is not easy but it is something we have to keep pursuing.
Now, in John's gospel Jesus makes a particular principle of his
Spring Into God's LoveSpring is springing here in the Pacific Northwest the plants and trees are blooming. We ..... very clear. On several separate occasions he tells us that he
never does anything except that it is in the Father's will for
him (e.g. John 5. 19; 5. 30, 77. 16;8. 29). It is therefore our
task to live as nearly as possible in the Father's will. It is
no more than Jesus has instructed us. How do we do it?
Living Through The Spirit We are given the Holy Spirit to
be our mentor. A mentor is someone who guides us. He is wise and
trusted advisor. Someone we can rely on totally to give us the
very best direction in whatever circumstance we might find
ourselves in, whatever problems and decisions we are faced with.
The Bible uses the term "Paraclete". (Some bibles use the term
"Counsellor" as in John 14. 26) This is a Greek word and can
sound a bit off-putting to us. But the Greeks had a type of boat
which was sent out to ships which were in difficulties. It was
called a paracletos, which gives us another insight into
the intended role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Yet we do not have to be in difficulties before we can turn to
the Holy Spirit for assistance. The example of Jesus is that we
should seek the Spirit's guidance at every turn of our lives.
Starting Small On the whole, what we see of Jesus in the
gospels is his handling of the big things in his life. Yet the
letter to the Hebrews tell us in chapter 5.7 - 8 that, through
his prayer, Jesus learned to submit to the Father's will. In
fact, his obedience came only through suffering.
We suffer whenever we have to bend our own will to that of
someone else. We seem to have an inbuilt desire to do our own
thing. And that is something the world encourages in us.
Just take notice to a few TV adverts to see that.
Now, where other people are concerned, we can often argue that
we know as well as they do. But where God is concerned we can
never say that. Got always knows best - and even more, God's
love for us is so pure that he never acts except in our
best interest. Hence we can never do better for ourselves than
to do what God wants us to do!!!
It's not always easy to hear God. In fact, there are two general
situations. The first is when God speaks, as it were, without
prompting. He just says something - and there is always
something about that which marks it out from the usual kind of
thoughts. Secondly, there are those times when we are
asking God about something. Then it can be more difficult to
hear him. If you meditate regularly on Scripture, you
will soon get used to discerning his communications. (This is
discussed at some length in my book "The Keys To Christian
Mediation", but is rather too involved to detail in a short
article)
If we have not tried to discern God's will for us on a daily
basis, we should start small. Ask him about the small things
first: if the forthcoming weekend is free, ask how to spend it;
if thinking about buying a book, ask the Spirit whether or not
you should - or which one, if there are alternatives. Small
things like this.
Leave the bigger things until some experience has been gained.
But the objective is to gradually bring the whole of one's life
under the domain of the Spirit. Then he lead our life. We do not
lead it ourselves. And it is all the better for that!
About the author:
About The Author: A K Whitehead Web Site:
www.christianword.co.uk. Email: akw@christianword.co.uk
Experience: Over twenty years in Christian healing, teaching and
writing. Qualifications: B.A., M.Phil., Camb Univ Cert in
Religious Studies This article may be reproduced on condition
that it is unaltered and that all this information is included.
|
