“He (Bonhoeffer) felt that what was especially missing from the life of Christians in Germany was the day to day reality of dying to self, of following Christ with every ounce of one’s being in every moment, in every part of one’s life.” (Bonhoeffer p. 248)
“Bonhoeffer strove to see what God wanted to show and then to do what God asked in response. That was the obedient Christian life, the call of the disciple.” (Bonhoeffer p. 279)
Growing closer to our Father in Heaven, we understand more of His ways and desires in every area of our lives. This is not an over night or 40 day process, it is living a life striving to learn and follow.
Scripture tells us:
“You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)
Children walk before they learn to run. On the day we give our lives over to Christ and receive His merciful salvation, we are filled with Holy Spirit power. We cannot think of anything else! As we return to our daily lives after that experience, old habits and ways of thinking creep back in. We need to allow God to bring attention to ways and attitudes He would like to change.
Change is uncomfortable and if what God it showing you is comfortable, you probably need to listen more closely. He will be with you regardless of the magnitude of the challenge. He has a path forward.
“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
God wants His children to come to Him and desires only good things for them. He wants to be in relationship with those who truly love and desire to follow His ways. With a circumcised heart and dying daily to self, we can receive God’s blessing:
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that both you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)
To participate in God’s plan, we need to be like Joshua, taking over where Moses left off:
“Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel: “Be strong and bold, for you are the one who will go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their ancestors to give them; and you will put them in possession of it.” (Deuteronomy 31:7)
Instead of “bold” the NKJV uses the words “good courage.” We are allowed to seek great boldness and courage from God in prayer. Be ready for God to say, “Yes!” He is looking for warriors who will stand with the Gospel of Christ and the God’s commandments.
“The Lord said to Moses, “Your time to die is near; call Joshua and present yourselves in the ten of meeting, so that I may commission him.”
So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the tent of meeting.” (Deuteronomy 31:14)
Joshua presented himself to God for service and we need to do the same. God gives each of us the privilege of choice and we need to choose wisely. This is not a light-hearted decision, but one of magnitude, handing everything of this world over to God and seeking to follow only His path to move forward. This does take great courage while we are still living in earthly bodies of the flesh, but God is greater and more powerful than anything in this world the He created!
“For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13”
God created us in our mother’s womb. He knows every part of each one of us. He designed us for a special and unique purpose that He will work with us to fill beginning at whatever point we may find ourselves today.
Christ tells us:
“Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” (Luke 18:17)
Shed off the mistakes and sin of the past. Harken back to the day you received Christ and remember the feeling of the indwelling of Holy Spirit. Now think about being a child before the mistakes, seeking help for every need. That is the circumcised heart we need to seek the Lord with. I promise, with a true heart, Christ will meet you!
Through the years of learning, remember:
“Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph! Your enemies shall come fawning to you, and you shall tread on their backs.” (Deuteronomy 33:29)
God’s desire for our nation is a return to covenant with Him. Not stopping at revival, but following through to reformation. We can each play a part in that story of reformation! To God Be the Glory!
Amen.
Originally Published: 10/22/22