JMD Devotional 229 Romans 8:5-9 We Ask too Little

For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit. Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God's Law; indeed it cannot. So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him. But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God].

One of Dr. Phil’s favorite sayings is, “You never get more than you ask for.” Of our selves, and in the Church, we ask for too little. We ask people to be nice and socially acceptable when God tells us to “be holy”. We ask people to try their best; but Jesus says, “Be perfect.” We plead with people to make a little room in their lives for God; but Romans 12:1,2 call for a living sacrifice (your whole life, not just a bit of it). Is perfection, holiness and consecration reasonable? In one sense, trying to exercise any of these virtues in our own (fleshly) human resources is impossible, and often comes out in a critical, judgmental and elitist spirit. But that misses the mark farther than not trying at all. God is after something else. By asking for what is impossible for the organic human He provokes reliance on the spiritual and relationship with Himself. There is no other way for us to be ‘good’ apart from holy union. We were never meant to live independently of God; that is the essence of sin. Faith is expressed by approaching these virtues and relying on God to fill our deficits in real time.

Dear God,
I come to You woefully short on grace, love, compassion and patience; but I’m surrounded by people with desperate needs. I’m supposed to be an ‘Ambassador for Christ’; but I confess unbecoming behavior and an inconsistent witness. In my own self I meet none of the requirements of a Disciple of Christ Jesus; I need You to express these virtues through my frame. May my message be centered on You and not myself. Help my ego to disappear from the equation. I need Your holy influence to saturate my life. Firm up my resolve to quit reverting to my old self-reliance and dead works. May my life and expression be all about “US”, You in me. Fully yielded, totally dependent on, and completely committed to You. May You manifest the Character of Christ in my life and all the fruit of Your Holy Spirit so people know its not just me.
Amen

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