Weekly Devotional 12-31-18 What Will Define our Lives
The year 2018 has past. What we did during the year in many ways defines each one of us. Some of the things we did were good things, but there were things that each of us did that weren’t good. Certainly, a few good things or a few bad things doesn’t necessarily define a person, but a repetition of those things probably does. One thing for sure is that we can’t change the things we did whether good or bad. But we can use those things to set a course for this next year and this course will define our lives.
Jesus said to His followers, “4Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).
If we Christians want to be defined as godly people, we must abide in Christ. We just can’t do it on our own. To abide in Christ means that our thoughts must be about Him and our commitment to a godly walk must be connected to Him. He must rule in our hearts, the seat of our emotions and desires. And, we must walk in His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, who Christ sent to indwell us.
Concerning the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul left us this encouragement: “16Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” (Galatians 5:16-26).
Shouldn’t we Christians want to be defined by the fruits of the Holy Spirit rather than by our old carnal natures?
Lord, help us to live godly lives that we may be defined as God loving people.
Steve
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man
All Scripture usage is from the NKJB