(Thanks to Nancy B. for
inspiration on this one)
A reader
responded to yesterday's devotional, recounting her own experience of the Lord
leading her to act in a loving and responsible manner concerning small matters
that are actually quite significant. She wrote that her
particular challenge (opportunity) involves the return of shopping carts to
parking lot receptacles rather than merely leaving them by her car (and, as with
the can of coffee referenced in yesterday's message, making work for someone
else).
I actually
faced this very issue yesterday afternoon. We parked a long way from the
closest receptacle at our local grocery store, and I strongly considered leaving
the cart where I emptied it. Nancy's letter rang in my heart and mind,
however, and my own words from the devotional furthermore left little option as
to what I needed to do in the situation.
Or did
it? In Biblical terms, the answer is a resounding "No!" "I will
freely sacrifice unto Thee" (Psalm 54:6). As referenced in yesterday's
message, the Christian life does not involve the mere construction and
programming of robots. Faith and obedience to God rather provides
living and real relationship with God whereby we are completely dependent
on His motivating and energizing presence within us. "Without Me, ye can
do nothing" (John 15:5). However, our faith and obedience flows from
freely made determinations within our hearts to trust and obey. "I will
love Thee, o Lord my strength!" (Psalm 18:1). Rather than eradicate our
personhood, the entrance of the Holy Spirit into our innermost being at the time
of our salvation resurrects, actualizes and enables us to actively and
consciously do the will of God, while at the same time knowing that He is the
executor of faithfulness in us.
During
His earthly life, the Lord Jesus Christ modeled this fascinating way of the
Spirit. "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" (John 5:17). He
also declared, "the Son can do nothing of Himself" (John 5:19).
Nevertheless, He also said "I do always those things that please Him" (John
8:29). Our Lord completely depended on His Father, and then lived from
such confidence in freely determined obedience. Who was it that did
the wondrous works of the Savior? Was the it the Father? The
Son? The Holy Spirit? Yes. Yes. Yes. And in the
same way, albeit imperfectly realized, the wondrous dynamic of God and man
united in loving relationship works in those who trust the Lord
Jesus.
Apart from
God (and His trusting daughter Nancy), I can guarantee you that I would have
left that shopping cart where it sat after I emptied it (despite what I had
written yesterday). Still, as in the "can of coffee caper," I found the
greatest delight in making the choice to transport the cart to its
receptacle. Indeed, the gift of salvation in Christ provides both the
power to obey God in the power of the Holy Spirit, and the freedom to obey in
the knowledge that we are not merely programmed machines in the doing of our
Lord's will. There is pure joy in both wondrous realities whereby Christ
alone is glorified, we are vibrantly alive, and others are blessed as our Father
worketh hitherto, and we work.
"Work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling, for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to
do of His good pleasure."
(Philippians
2:12-13)
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