Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 15 A Month Of Gratitude??? #10
Dependent Or Independent? I thank God, not only in this time set aside for gratitude, but every day, for His perfect provision! What does that have to do with “dependence”? Well, it is most significant to our successful walk with Jesus, yet we must make a decision of our will whether we will walk in obedience or rebellion. It can affect our daily walk, as well as our prayer life, both of which are oft neglected and distorted, by the flesh today.
“After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father
which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
in earth,
as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10
Jesus told His disciples that prayer wasn’t for our own selfish whims, but for the glory of God, to draw us closer to Him, to seek to know HIS will, His desires, and to increase HIS kingdom—not our own! Jesus told us that our desire in prayer was and is to praise God—”Hallowed be thy name”; we are to seek God’s glory as we praise Him, not our own ‘independent’way!
We are to pray for God’s kingdom to come—not our own! Yet so many today are being taught and led to believe that we can manipulate God by using certain words, by having enough, or a right kind of faith, or claiming what we want in a particular way! But Jesus calls us to pray seeking God’s kingdom and God’s will to be accomplished in this worldly realm. We are never called to pray for God to endorse our plans, but we are to pursue God’s will, His ways, being willing to wait for His timing. Not the easiest thing to do; but the thing that will grow us into the “image” of Jesus! (See Romans 8:28-29)
“But they that wait upon the LORD
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up
with wings as eagles;
they shall run,
and not be weary;
and they shall walk,
and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Oh, how hard it is to learn to “wait upon the LORD”—yet it is the pathway to strength, courage, stamina, endurance—for God has a plan that we can never know except to walk in His light.
“There is a way that seemeth right
unto a man,
but the end thereof
are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25
As we walk “in the Spirit”, we can avoid the pitfalls of the flesh; learning and pursuing God’s pathway of light, and His direction, as we yield to HIS Spirit’s work in us. (See Gal. 5:16,25)
“Enter ye in at the strait gate:
for wide is the gate,
and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction,
and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate,
and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life,
and few there be that find it.” Matthew 6:13-14
Jesus goes on in this passage to remind us that just “saying so” doesn’t make it so; but a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ The Son.
“Not every one that saith unto me,
Lord, Lord,
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name?
and in thy name have cast out devils?
and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them,
I never knew you:
depart from me,
ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23
Just as the proverb told us, there is “a way” that seems right—our own way–yet God calls us to walk HIS way—the way of light.
“Thy word is a lamp
unto my feet,
and a light
unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
The Apostle John also called us to walk in God’s pathway of light.
“This then is the message
which we have heard of him,
and declare unto you,
that God
is light,
and in him
is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,
and walk in darkness,
we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light,
as he is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ
his Son
cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 john 1:5-7
Oh, what precious words, ”the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”. One of my favorite passages clearly displays the contrast between walking in “dependence” upon God, and the “independent” person who chooses to forsake God and go his own way. We are free to choose but remember there is a test! Choose wisely—you can be independent and trust to your own “goodness” to save you—or you can trust to God’s provided salvation in Jesus. There is only One Way—and His name is Jesus!
“For what is a man profited,
if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul?
or what shall a man give
in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26
And the beautiful Psalm 1:
“Blessed is the man
that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor standeth in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight
is in the law of the LORD;
and in his law
doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water,
that bringeth forth his fruit
in his season;
his leaf also
shall not wither;
and whatsoever he doeth
shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so:
but are like the chaff
which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly
shall not stand
in the judgment,
nor sinners
in the congregation
of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knoweth
the way of the righteous:
but the way of the ungodly
shall perish.” Psalm 1:1-6
And remember that the only righteousness that will give us a right standing with God is the Righteousness of Jesus, imparted by God, to those who come to Jesus, in repentance and faith! It’s His blood that “cleanseth us from all sin”! Are you cleansed and depending on His grace; or are you living independent from God! Thank YOU Lord, that we can depend on YOU!
“Now then we are ambassadors
for Christ,
as though God did beseech you by us:
we pray you
in Christ’s stead,
be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him
to be sin for us,
who knew no sin;
that we might be made
the righteousness of God
in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21
Jesus will be your righteousness, if you will depend on HIM:
“Take my yoke upon you,
and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:29
Amen and Amen!!!
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