Lord, I don’t respond like You do.
I get frustrated.
I get hurt.
I compare.
I lay blame.
I get annoyed.
I give up.
I worry.
I criticize.
These are often my first reactions.
What’s worse, it’s not just situations
I’m responding to, but people.
When will Your life and love supersede mine?
How will I learn to let Your love work through me?
My child, even though your old nature was crucified with Me, your human soul remains. Your flesh, your human soul, will always want to rise up and defend itself. That is part of being a member of Adam’s race. The response may vary widely from anger to cowering in fear, but it is always based on self-preservation or self-interest. History confirms that humanity can justify horrendous acts when they serve its own advancement. That sinfulness is the source of mankind’s most basic attitudes and responses. The human soul apart from Me serves only itself, even when dressed in its finest and most acceptable covering.
You have given Me your heart and life, and as Holy Spirit I live within you. Therefore, you have a choice. My word instructs you to “lay aside” the old life and “put on” the new. You are to “walk” and “live” according to My Spirit. Let all wrong attitudes “be put away” from you: “put them aside”. Then “put on” the new life, the new nature that I give. These things do not happen automatically; they are choices, choices you must make with each person or experience you encounter.
You know what the new nature looks like. It is patient, it is kind, it tells the truth in love, it forgives, it puts others first and wishes them only the best, it is gentle, it is humble, it is pure, it is thankful, it is steadfast. In short, it is impossible in your own strength.
I do not leave you to carry out the right choice by your own strength or willpower. I fill and empower you by My grace and Spirit to walk forward as you choose My provision. But you must first make the choice whether you will live simply by your humanity, trying to do your best, or by the new nature you have received from Me.
The truest thing about you is My life in you. Your feelings will lie to you, demand to be heard, and will claim to be the true representation of who you are, but that is a lie. Your true self is hidden in Me, and I am your true Life. Abide in Me, and I will abide in you.
My power and righteousness will keep you and enable you far beyond what you ask or think, even in your daily challenges. In this life you will always have to choose, but the day is coming when our union will be perfect and you will share in My glory. Live this day abiding and dwelling in Me as if you have arrived at that day.
Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 4:1-5; Colossians 3:5-17; Galatians 5:22-26; 1 Corinthians 13:4;
Philippians 2:3-4; John 15:4-5; Colossians 3:1-4; Ephesians 3:20-21
His Unfolding Grace 