You have decided that your goal should be to focus upon seeking intimacy with the Lord, but do not set your mind on any endeavor (no matter how "holy"). Set your focus upon the Lord Himself. Intimacy with Christ is a free gift; you do not have to seek after what you already possess.
You have concluded that a Holy focus on Christ must happen in your mind first, as a prelude to bringing your physical and spiritual body into alignment with His will. This is inaccurate. Holy identification with the Lord does not begin as a mental discipline, it begins with the Cross. You have only to follow in footsteps along a path already broken for you. You do not have to make your own way.
The difficulty in embarking upon any program of self-improvement is that you will find yourself attempting to follow in the footsteps of a fellow human being (or your own self-imposed rules) rather than following the Lord.
There is a difference between thinking about Jesus and looking at Jesus. You can think about an "ought not" while in the very act of sin, but you cannot look into the face of the Savior who bled and died for you and continue the act that wounded Him. The sin will become abhorrent to you and you will fling it away in horror when you look into your Savior's face. Obedience is not a battle of the mind or even of the will; it is an act of love.
Remember that Peter had determined in his mind to follow Jesus, but under duress fell away. It was only when he saw Jesus die for him that he was enabled to lay down his own life for Jesus' sake. Don't just think about your faith, look at Jesus. See the Cross. See your Savior's face.
There are no “shoulds” for you. There is only the Lord's abiding presence, an open invitation to greater intimacy with Him day by day, and the promise that He will not leave you.
Scripture: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. Romans 8:1-3
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1 comment:
Oh goodness, this really spoke to me. I found the third paragraph especially meaningful. I am always trying to set rules for myself or begin some program to improve my home, my relationships, myself. But, as you mentioned, we must be careful not to follow in the footsteps of anyone but our Lord.
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