GOD’S COMPENSATION
Fourth of seven devotions in World Stage Series
Galatians 5:16-25
Galatians 5:16-17: “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will
not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the
Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.
They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you
want.”
God’s Way devotion said, “The best
decision is always God’s way. Until
people learn how to discern God’s will, it’s not good enough to just go with
one’s gut feeling. Instinct is
natural—the way of the flesh. God’s way
is Spirit-led. People can only recognize
things of the Spirit by freely surrendering one’s will to God’s Spirit.”
But
people resist surrendering our will to anyone.
We feel empowered with free will.
We want control over our lives. But
there are times when we admit needing help. God’s
Way devotion shows that Michael needs answers now. His eleventh grade classes are intended to steer
him toward his future. (Michael’s God-given
gifts and desires will enable him to succeed in God’s plan for his life).
Will
Michael surrender his will to God’s Spirit?
How else can he choose his subjects correctly?
How
can any of God’s kids grow into the people God created us to be and achieve His
plan for our lives without being led by His Spirit? When believers put off surrendering our will
to God, He will send us pain and suffering.
That gets our attention, and we cry out to Him for help.
Surrendering
to God’s will is cool! Really. Believers who trust how much our heavenly
Father loves us know two things: He
wants our best. He rewards
obedience. Freely surrendering our will
to His Spirit has awesome rewards, too. Galatians
5:22-23 promises that the fruit of God’s Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience (!!), kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Those
are wonderful compensation for losing “control” over our own lives, (which
is—by the way—bogus assumption on our part).
Wouldn’t you agree? Other
compensations we’ll figure out the longer we’re led by God’s Sprit is: that our
confidence is strengthened, and we’re free from selfish pursuits and earthly
attachments. We’ll see God’s hand at
work when we operate under His power and authority!
Others
will recognize that we’ve got something they want to live victoriously on the
world stage.
Take Home Nugget
Michael
read that he can pursue playing basketball at the Air Force Academy. His problem solved, he checked algebra,
physics and ROTC on the form he has to return to school on Monday. Whew!
God’s Spirit to his rescue!
God’s Spirit leads with compensations
that bring His kids victory.
J.D. Griffith
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