“Therefore, having these promises….” I claim God’s promises for my life and look to their fulfillment, and rightly so, but that shows only the human perspective on them. God’s perspective is that through His promises I will come to recognize His claim of ownership on me. For example, do I realize that my “body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,” or am I condoning some habit in my body which clearly could not withstand the light of God on it? (1 Corinthians 6:19). God formed His Son in me through sanctification, setting me apart from sin and making me holy in His sight (see Galatians 4:19). But I must begin to transform my natural life into spiritual life by obedience to Him. God instructs us even in the smallest details of life. And when He brings you conviction of sin, do not “confer with flesh and blood,” but cleanse yourself from it at once (Galatians 1:16). Keep yourself cleansed in your daily walk.I must cleanse myself from all filthiness in my flesh and my spirit until both are in harmony with the nature of God. Is the mind of my spirit in perfect agreement with the life of the Son of God in me, or am I mentally rebellious and defiant? Am I allowing the mind of Christ to be formed in me? (see Philippians 2:5). Christ never spoke of His right to Himself, but always maintained an inner vigilance to submit His spirit continually to His Father. I also have the responsibility to keep my spirit in agreement with His Spirit. And when I do, Jesus gradually lifts me up to the level where He lived— a level of perfect submission to His Father’s will— where I pay no attention to anything else. Am I perfecting this kind of holiness in the fear of God? Is God having His way with me, and are people beginning to see God in my life more and more?Be serious in your commitment to God and gladly leave everything else alone. Literally put God first in your life._________________________________________________________

March 18, 2015

Journal for Today

Lord, once more it seems Chambers is leveraging guilt and responsibility as tools to help motivate his students to sanctification. …Christ never spoke of His right to Himself, but always maintained an inner vigilance to submit His spirit continually to His Father. Chambers also reminds me that I must cleanse myself….and then I recall Jesus teaching that doing the right thing isn’t enough, that we must think the right thoughts. If we even think the wrong thoughts then we are guilty. It seems that Chambers puts an unachievable standard up once again and is using it to try and “guilt” his students into an effort that is bound to fail.  Using my strong will and discipline to help shape myself into a better person and Christian  has never seemed to work for me.

And God says…”Religion has and will always point out your responsibilities and adherence to rules and expectations. But I do not want you submitting to rules or religious expectations. You are to be surrendered to Jesus: Surrendered, connected, curious and committed to obedience as the Holy Spirit shapes, molds and guides you. The sacrifice of Jesus and His grace and mercy are sufficient for you and your daily living. I do not want you consciously making right choices; I want you transformed so that right choices are the only ones you are able to make. Let the Spirit of God transform you as you are connected to Me…seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and everything else you need will be provided, including your transformation. You will run and not grow weary, your wants and needs will be transformed into wants and needs that are pleasing to Me. And when you fail, as you surely will, My love, mercy and grace are more than sufficient to bring you back to connection. Keep fighting the good fight”