October 2nd

Living in the Strength of the Spirit-Filled Life

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles. Galatians 2:1-2

You made a choice for Jesus, but then you had more choices to make.

As a brand new Christian, you probably knew a whole lot more about the world than you did about God. But something about Jesus and your desperate need for Him brought you in. Maybe you were like Paul and God knocked you off your proverbial horse to get your attention. But having turned to Jesus, now you needed to decide what leaders to listen to, which voices to follow.

The Apostle Paul was exactly the same way. At the very point of his conversion he could have become a lot of things. He could have become a man-pleaser. He says, I'm not going to do that. I'm going to be a God-pleaser.

He could have become a religious junkie, calling all the Gentile Christians to start acting like Jews. That's what he used to be, so it would have been a good fit, except that God had called him to become a new man.

He could have become a disciple of the disciples, just sort of staying in their shadow and doing whatever they said to do. Don't get me wrong, he honored their counsel, but he did not hang on their every word.

No, instead of becoming any of these things, Paul became led by the Spirit, enjoying the liberty to be himself. And we should all do the same.

Women, wouldn't it be nice to forget about what Revlon wants to turn you into, to walk into Nordstrom's where you hear, Let me make you up! I can make you beautiful! and just be free from all that, free to be the woman that God is calling you to be?

Men, how about you? Do you look at Paul, walking into that church in Galatia, all strong and confident to confront the issues he sees there, and wonder how he stood up against all the pressure that came against him?

It only happens in the freedom and power of the Holy Spirit. Whatever choice you made when you first became a Christian, I'm telling you this is the choice you need to make now.

Prayer Holy Spirit,

Thank You for the freedom You bring for me to be who You made me to be! I want that freedom, and Your help to live freely. Please come and have Your way in me, so that I can be free from the influence of the world and truly live as you call me to be!

Amen