Not I, but Christ has been my greatest challenge in my Christian walk. After "doing to get" for many years, releasing Christ to live is my greatest honor.
"Christians play God by trying to solve problems without tapping into Christ within them, or for the unsaved – calling out to God."
I was trying to tap into the Christ within in order to Get a predetermined outcome to my problems - to bring forth MY WILL in the situation. As you wrote "We must take up Jesus’ example and look to the Father for everything." THIS INCLUDES HIS SOLUTION!
For example, I desired to have a simple, low-skill job, so I devote myself to living a Godly life as I ENVISIONED it. BUT such employment couldn't pay the bills. I expected HIM to provide the funds I lacked. After struggling and praying earnestly for a few years and asking why my bills weren't paid, He simply said "...you aren't using all your resources..." I understood that this meant I had to develop some "high level" skills - to return to school for some training. Once I decided to do so, the path was cleared and doors were opened. A school that didn't exist before, came into being. It taught technology that I was very interested in. A program was instituted which paid for my schooling AND paid me to attend! Within a couple of years after I finished the training, the school & all the records were erased.
This wasn't the outcome or solution I envisioned, but it was HIS solution to the practical problems of my life. For some reason, it was a lesson I had to learn over and over again!
Thank you, Keith, for sharing your story. The bottom line is releasing Christ's doing from within while taking action as believers. I think the Word calls this "Faith without works is dead."
It seems so simple, so obvious, and yet I know for certain that this “exchanged life” isn’t the Christian norm. I never saw it modeled in the churches I have been a part of over the years.
Other Christians are always asking me where I go to church, or inviting me to theirs. But I tell you truly that church impedes my fellowship with Jesus. My family is my ministry, my neighbors are my ministry.
I definitely agree with this. It is how it should work rather than us trying to do it ourselves. As soon as we realize this everything changes. Even if we are still "doing" things, it is with Him as the pilot and the power source which leads to far greater accomplishments than what we scrape together without him.
Thank you!
"Christians play God by trying to solve problems without tapping into Christ within them, or for the unsaved – calling out to God."
I was trying to tap into the Christ within in order to Get a predetermined outcome to my problems - to bring forth MY WILL in the situation. As you wrote "We must take up Jesus’ example and look to the Father for everything." THIS INCLUDES HIS SOLUTION!
For example, I desired to have a simple, low-skill job, so I devote myself to living a Godly life as I ENVISIONED it. BUT such employment couldn't pay the bills. I expected HIM to provide the funds I lacked. After struggling and praying earnestly for a few years and asking why my bills weren't paid, He simply said "...you aren't using all your resources..." I understood that this meant I had to develop some "high level" skills - to return to school for some training. Once I decided to do so, the path was cleared and doors were opened. A school that didn't exist before, came into being. It taught technology that I was very interested in. A program was instituted which paid for my schooling AND paid me to attend! Within a couple of years after I finished the training, the school & all the records were erased.
This wasn't the outcome or solution I envisioned, but it was HIS solution to the practical problems of my life. For some reason, it was a lesson I had to learn over and over again!
Thank you, Keith, for sharing your story. The bottom line is releasing Christ's doing from within while taking action as believers. I think the Word calls this "Faith without works is dead."
It seems so simple, so obvious, and yet I know for certain that this “exchanged life” isn’t the Christian norm. I never saw it modeled in the churches I have been a part of over the years.
Other Christians are always asking me where I go to church, or inviting me to theirs. But I tell you truly that church impedes my fellowship with Jesus. My family is my ministry, my neighbors are my ministry.
A great and thoughtful read, Dr. Phinney.
I definitely agree with this. It is how it should work rather than us trying to do it ourselves. As soon as we realize this everything changes. Even if we are still "doing" things, it is with Him as the pilot and the power source which leads to far greater accomplishments than what we scrape together without him.
Thanks for sharing this.
I believe this is what is called the exchanged life. It’s is what we are called to. Thank you.