Obedience by Faith POSSESSED BY THE SPIRIT
I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jer. 31:3.
"When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart....A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan."--The Desire of Ages, p. 324. Does that sound like good news? We may not understand exactly all that is meant by having Christ living in us, controlling us, and willing and doing in us. But we can be thankful that we have that choice. Frankly, I'm not too happy with my performance apart from Him. I am thankful for the victory, power, and obedience available as we place ourselves under His control, aren't you?
"In the change that takes place when the soul surrenders to Christ, there is the highest sense of freedom....The only condition upon which the freedom of man is possible is that of becoming one with Christ."--Ibid, p. 466. How is it possible to be free and at the same time to be controlled? The secret is found in the key word, love. The control of love causes a person to do what he couldn't have done otherwise--and like it! Not only like it, but thrilled with it.
I was shaving one morning when my 4-year-old came up to me and said, "Daddy, I need a white kitty with blue eyes." Now, I don't like cats--I don't like the way they come up and rub against me without even being invited. They fight with each other in the woods at night and keep me awake. But my daughter hadn't yet noticed what horrid animals they are! I replied, "Where would you keep a white kitty?" She said, "In my room." And I saw an escape. "You can't keep a cat in your room--there isn't any place for a cat the way you keep your room!" She disappeared, and I thought I had had the last word.
But before I had finished shaving, she was back. She took my hand and led me to her room. I'd never seen it so tidy. I still don't know what she did with all the stuff in such a short time. But her room was spotless. In a final attempt to save the day I said, "LuAnn, did you clean up your room because you want a white kitty with blue eyes, or because you love your daddy?" And she said, "Because I want a...because I love my daddy!" Our home has had a white kitty with blue eyes ever since! The control of love makes all the difference.
I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jer. 31:3.
"When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart....A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan."--The Desire of Ages, p. 324. Does that sound like good news? We may not understand exactly all that is meant by having Christ living in us, controlling us, and willing and doing in us. But we can be thankful that we have that choice. Frankly, I'm not too happy with my performance apart from Him. I am thankful for the victory, power, and obedience available as we place ourselves under His control, aren't you?
"In the change that takes place when the soul surrenders to Christ, there is the highest sense of freedom....The only condition upon which the freedom of man is possible is that of becoming one with Christ."--Ibid, p. 466. How is it possible to be free and at the same time to be controlled? The secret is found in the key word, love. The control of love causes a person to do what he couldn't have done otherwise--and like it! Not only like it, but thrilled with it.
I was shaving one morning when my 4-year-old came up to me and said, "Daddy, I need a white kitty with blue eyes." Now, I don't like cats--I don't like the way they come up and rub against me without even being invited. They fight with each other in the woods at night and keep me awake. But my daughter hadn't yet noticed what horrid animals they are! I replied, "Where would you keep a white kitty?" She said, "In my room." And I saw an escape. "You can't keep a cat in your room--there isn't any place for a cat the way you keep your room!" She disappeared, and I thought I had had the last word.
But before I had finished shaving, she was back. She took my hand and led me to her room. I'd never seen it so tidy. I still don't know what she did with all the stuff in such a short time. But her room was spotless. In a final attempt to save the day I said, "LuAnn, did you clean up your room because you want a white kitty with blue eyes, or because you love your daddy?" And she said, "Because I want a...because I love my daddy!" Our home has had a white kitty with blue eyes ever since! The control of love makes all the difference.
RSS Feed
