Into the Fire

I know. It sounds selfish. And ungodly even. But let me apply a little more reasonable explanation to the declaration in this snapshot.

Christians surrender their lives to Jesus Christ once the recognition of their sinful selves leads them to the ensuing repentance. From that moment on - with the understanding a genuine heart-cry has taken place – people yield the controls of their lives to God. No, it doesn't come easily or even naturally since we live in a body of flesh which wages war against our spiritual desires as a daily regimen. 

In fact, our lives still belong to us. And we can go by our own rules. However, we change after meeting Jesus, and therefore our rules change. Not because God gives us a bunch of ultimatums and threats but because we no longer desire much of the sinful conduct we lived by prior to friendship with the living God.

Many people who don't know Jesus have the perception that religious do's and don'ts dominate this newfound life. On the contrary our relationship isn't about rigid adherence to rules but a real desire to live on a higher spiritual plane by learning to listen to the Holy Spirit as He instructs us on how to truly live our lives. Prior to our knowing Jesus, we lived according to what we assumed we wanted, needed, or liked. And while we may have been satisfied in the short term with our personal gains, that satisfaction usually soared briefly and toppled quickly after we set our sights on "the next big thing" we wanted to have or achieve. 

When someone other than the Lord wants to insist we do something we cannot do because of our heart's objection to the demand(s), we can testify: My life. My rules. It might require real conviction to remain steadfast, but it's a choice we must make.

I confess if you tell me I "have to do" something – especially if it makes no sense to me – my neck stiffens and I resist with a mule's reaction to an unfavorable command. In other words: Don't. Don't tell me "You have to." My instinctive reaction: "My life. My rules." We all know this doesn't always work out for us, but sometimes we proclaim it anyway. Silently or otherwise. Once in awhile we declare it with a spiritual bent because we need to stand for something. Something higher and better than the human condition.

Father, you are life. You are righteousness. And you are all that truly matters. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.