Our fleshly desires control us so easily and we fight them all the time. Paul talks about it in Galatians chapter 5 verse 17, “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.” We must continue to study and ask God to show us in His word how we can use that willing Spirit in us and keep our focus on Christ.
This is the changing of our heart and us realizing we are a new creation in Christ because we have let Him in and have surrendered our will. I heard this this past weekend from Pastor Kevin Goff and I think it is important that we remember it as we seek growth in Christ. “Transformation isn’t just getting better it is becoming like Christ.” Getting back to Galatians, in chapter 5 verse 16 it says, “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” I think of the word surrender when I think of the Spirit being willing.
Jesus came to show us and be the way to the Father and we see surrender in His life as He comes in human flesh to be our Lord and Savior. In Matthew chapter 26 verse 39 Jesus says, “He went on a little farther and bowed with His face to the ground, praying, ‘My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done not mine.” Jesus is our example and when we open our heart and change we need to surrender our body because it is weak and let God’s word keep us focused on Jesus. We must remember that this will take continual work and dedication, Jesus went back two more times and prayed the same prayer. Our attitude is what helps us drive our lives in Christ. Pastor Kevin Goff, The Rock Church, also added this in his sermon, “The way you can tell a person is growing is they have a changed attitude.” After the disciples bout with sleep they had to have a new attitude and that was evident after Jesus’ resurrection.
I have said this before and believe it fully, our walk is not for ourselves it is for others to see Christ in us so they may choose Him as well. Look at what Jesus says after one of His disciples cuts off the high priest slave’s ear. In verses 53 and 54 it says, “Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?” We must work hard to keep our focus and feed our bodies with what is good and pleasing to God. I want to end with Galatians chapter 6 verse 8 which says, “Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from their sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.” Amen