“Jesus also said, ‘The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.’” (Mark 4:26-27 NLT)
On some levels the Christian life is a paradox. When we yield our lives and allegiance to Jesus by opening our heart and mind to His presence and power, there is a sense in which we have no part in what then happens. We can’t make the “seed” of our new faith “grow,” yet, in some miraculous and unexplainable way, it does. How is that even possible? And what are its practical implications?
And yes, of course, there is a part we must play. In some ways it’s like trying out for a sports team. When I was in Junior High, I tried out for the basketball team. I played every day after school for hours with my friends. I was only 5’10”, but I was skinny and could jump pretty high. I was a decent shot and could handle the ball better than average.
But when I was in a “real” game, with people screaming and scrutinizing our every move, I got so nervous I could hardly move. Obviously, I would have no future in basketball if I couldn’t get over my nervousness.
It’s similar in our walk with Jesus. One on one with Jesus it’s a no-brainer, but throw in our arch enemy, Satan, and we have an important decision to make. Who will we follow? Which path will we choose because we MUST choose!
Development as a child of God takes time and effort, and there’s sometimes a thin line between our part and God’s part. We can read the Bible, pray, attend meetings, do all the “right” things, but still not grow in our faith, but why? Because there is a third element we often fail to consider – our own desires! Do we really want to grow in Christlikeness?
It would be, and ultimately is, a lot easier when our desires equal and become God’s desires; however, as a new believer we can be so strongly pulled away from God and His plans for us by our desire to do what we want, not what God wants. We want to follow the path of least resistance, which is to follow our sinful nature. So, what do we do? Are we on our own? Is there no power available to enable us to do God’s will?
The bottom line is this: does God give us power to overcome our sinful desires and turn from them or not? Our sinful desires vary, but the strength of their pull on our lives is common to every would-be Christ follower. Gay or straight is irrelevant, as is male or female. We’re all pulled in ungodly directions by the forces of evil that reside in us.
Sex is a powerful tool in the enemy’s hand, but so are drugs, alcohol, pride, possessions, position, or power. What is it for you? What is the greatest deterrent in your life and mine that holds us back from being everything we say we want to be for Jesus? Could it be a lack of self-worth? Are you constantly seeking to validate your existence? Looking for “love” in all the wrong places?
At some point, if we’re going to be a Jesus follower, we must decide – is Jesus enough? Can His love and the power of His Spirit deliver and keep us or not? And if the answer is “no,” then we’re looking at the wrong side of the equation. He is MORE than able and in Him “overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”
Here’s the bottom line: The path of least resistance is following the dictates of our own sinful feelings and desires, but if we decide we want to be delivered from our sin, Jesus is the only One who can deliver us.
Put your trust in Him and commit everything you are to everything He is, and He’ll heal and help you; otherwise, there is no hope. Jesus IS our only eternal hope!
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 