DECIDE
Third of three devotions in Sifting Self Series
Ephesians 5:15-17
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not
as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days
are evil. Therefore do not be foolish,
but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
This
series is designed to explain why life can be so hard at times. The necessary
sifting process to shape believers into people equipped to serve God is
extremely challenging. Disciplining His
kids isn’t easy for our heavenly Father, either.
Did
your parent ever admit while punishing you, “This hurts me more than it hurts
you?” Yeah, right, we wonder.
During
the sifting process, God’s kids often become angry and confused. Rebellion can transform into repentance and
praise when God’s Spirit reigns. Remember Jeremy’s dad in Desperate devotion? (Immediately
before this devotion).
Repentance
is what God hopes everyone decides during the sifting process. His modifying behavior is not meant to break
us. Rather, God wants to transform us into
the likeness of His Son Jesus. But
understand, God’s will WILL be done! If we don’t change our ways, He’ll exert even more
pressure—pressure that will seem harsh—even coming from the Loving Father we
know Him to be.
Believers
should figure out how important we are to God.
He won’t stop until His transforming work is accomplished. Philippians 1:6 assures, “that He who began a
good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Sooner or later, pride, jealousy, covetousness,
anger and unforgiveness need to be dealt with!
God’s
divine love and truth flows through believers to others on the world’s
stage. Christian presence and conduct changes
the world! (And this is just one of
God’s purposes). Believers who cooperate
with God’s Spirit’s transforming work discover that their character, thoughts, actions,
priorities and (finally) self-will suddenly reflect those of Christ. (See lesson linked below).
Self-will
is usually the last character trait that people intentionally yield to
God. People cling to the illusion that God’s
free-will privilege justifies our insistence for demanding self-will. Not true for Christians who are committed to
serve God. God’s gifts thrive when returned
to Him. Self-will may be the last
quality to remain behind on the sifting mesh before believers’ transformation
is complete.
Won’t
you act in your free-will today and decide
to give God back your self-will in exchange for His will?
Take Home Nugget
“Surrender”
is what yielding self-will to God is usually called. I don’t like the word surrender. It’s defined by defeat, concede, renounce,
abandon, give up, forfeit, relinquish and give in.
God’s kids
are victors, never losers.
Sifting
hurts, but if we’re honest, we thank and praise God for replacing His will for
our self-will.
J.D. Griffith
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