The Challenge of Following Jesus

Jesus is the Son of God and is God.  This has been, and will continue to be debated until He returns.  It is the central question for all humanity even though it has been squelched in our secularized society today.

But as a follower of Jesus, I believe it's true.  And following this God who loves me is no easy task.  Challenges abound and one that tops my thoughts today is this:  "how tricky it is to live out the mandate of God who tells me 'be holy as I am holy'."  Sometimes it seems impossible to know how to live this way.  The subtle line dividing living in my own strength and living in His is easy to miss and because of my sinful tendencies I can move into selfishness and ignore God's voice.

I am describing a reality for all Christians here.  But all is not lost--not by a long shot.  What we see here is simply the reality of wrestling with our faith and slowly overcoming the effects of lingering sin.  Jesus' blood has set us free, the war is over, but there are still skirmishes happening all around.  When you are in them it can seem as though the battle really isn't won, but that's just a matter of perspective, not reality.

We need a clear call, a clear understanding.  We need to know what God knows so that we can put our faith in that.

Philippians 2:12-13 is where we need to go for this.  "Therefore dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."

Not sure how to live according to His strength?  Do you question where that "line" is that separates your strength from His?  God understands.  I'll say it again---God understands.  Working your faith out with fear and trembling includes the fact that God fully understands our shortcomings and our inabilities to fully comprehend things that go beyond us.  This doesn't mean that He makes excuses for our sin, but it does mean that He knows we sometimes go astray.  What He is asking of us is to simply live humbly.  To come before Him with respect and reverent fear, asking for forgiveness and guidance. 

And He reassures us of what reality is:  He is at work in our lives.  "It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."  Certainly, we need to align ourselves obediently to His purposes, and allow His strength to flow in and through us.  But, nevertheless, the fact remains that it is His power that is at work in us, changing us, strengthening us, leading us.  Yes, sometimes it will feel like a war zone in our spirits as God leads us to overcome something in our lives and we resist.  He gets that.  But He also is unwilling to give us over to our sins and continues to work in us His strength so that we can be like Him--holy.

And please don't forget this:  there is nothing that can separate us from His love.  No matter what.  His love is what motivates Him to work in us His mighty power.

So don't let appearances deceive you.  If you are in a tight spot spiritually, and you are feeling like the only strength you are living on is your own, humble yourself and acknowledge what is true:  God is there and He is your source of power and strength to overcome.  Humbly thank Him and ask Him to help you come into alignment with His will and He will give you peace.

Yes, following Jesus is certainly a challenge, but it is worth it.  It really is.

BT