Do It Yourself

September 9th, 2013 by JDVaughn Leave a reply »

. . . bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ . . . —2 Corinthians 10:5


Determinedly Discipline Other Things. This is another difficult aspect of the strenuous nature of sainthood. Paul said, according to the Moffatt translation of this verse, “. . . I take every project prisoner to make it obey Christ . . . .” So much Christian work today has never been disciplined, but has simply come into being by impulse! In our Lord’s life every project was disciplined to the will of His Father. There was never the slightest tendency to follow the impulse of His own will as distinct from His Father’s will— “the Son can do nothing of Himself . . . ” (John 5:19). Then compare this with what we do— we take “every thought” or project that comes to us by impulse and jump into action immediately, instead of imprisoning and disciplining ourselves to obey Christ.

Practical work for Christians is greatly overemphasized today, and the saints who are “bringing every thought [and project] into captivity” are criticized and told that they are not determined, and that they lack zeal for God or zeal for the souls of others. But true determination and zeal are found in obeying God, not in the inclination to serve Him that arises from our own undisciplined human nature. It is inconceivable, but true nevertheless, that saints are not “bringing every thought [and project] into captivity,” but are simply doing work for God that has been instigated by their own human nature, and has not been made spiritual through determined discipline.

We have a tendency to forget that a person is not only committed to Jesus Christ for salvation, but is also committed, responsible, and accountable to Jesus Christ’s view of God, the world, and of sin and the devil. This means that each person must recognize the responsibility to “be transformed by the renewing of [his] mind. . . .” (Romans 12:2).

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September 9, 2013

Lord thank you for the devotional today that reminds me that it is not whether a thought or action is spiritual or not; but that all that I think or act on can be enhanced, improved and blessed by You.  I see this as an opportunity now to consider everything in my life subject to and blessed by You…regardless of the outcome or result of connecting to You. Help me simply turn this day and all that is in it, over to You, trusting You completely.

And God says…” You can hold onto parts of your life; your secrets, your treasure, and your failings because you often believe and feel I should not be involved in those parts of your life. But you know that if you seek first the Kingdom of God which is Jesus, all things you need will be added unto you. Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways and He will make your paths straight. I am the lamp and light that guides your path…trust Me, and walk in My light this day.”

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