Permissible

Romans 7:19 NLT

I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.

A minister friend said recently in a message that when we were not saved everything was permissible and fun. Now that we are saved, everything is still permissible but no longer fun. 

We are not rejected because of what wrong path we take. As a matter of fact, I believe Holy Spirit is constantly attempting to guide us back on the path He has for us to take. In our stubbornness we cling to our soulish desires and our logic to do what we have decided He wants of us. What He really wants is for us to think with the mind of Christ and not our old mind filled with logic and knowledge capable of figuring things out for ourselves--leaning to our own understanding. 

So here we are plodding along trying to take the right road even forcing open doors Holy Spirit is trying to close for us by putting blocks in our way. Instead of understanding what they are we logically find our way through or around the block and call it an answer to prayer. I can just imagine what Holy Spirit thinks then! But it does not stop Him from trying a different approach for us to listen.

I think we make a simple Gospel complicated. His perfect will is in His Word. If what we are doing is not advancing the Kingdom of God, then we should open a new door. Jesus commissioned all of us to preach the Good News to the world we live in to save the lost, and set the captives free by delivering them from demons and healing them. And yet we all look for the part we want to play. All the parts to play that are laid out in the New Testament writings are for Christians in relationship with other Christians. We are all to go outside the church be Jesus. 

In the church we compliment each other in gifting and all the gifts are active in our fellowship no matter how small that fellowship is in bodies. Holy Spirit gives out the gifts as needed and when needed to build up the church, teach the church, and encourage the church.

If you are making a difference in church, then you are where He wants you. If your disciples are going outside the church setting the captives free, then you are doing your job. All too often I believe we get wrapped up in the job and not the results of our work. It is all about setting the captives free so they can set more captives free. It is all about being Jesus to all we encounter.

And waiting is not in the commission Jesus gave to all of us. The action is in the GOing. Growth does not come by waiting. Growth comes through GOing, being corrected and continuing to GO. God deals with all of us so differently. If we have peace that we are doing God's will, we will GO ahead more readily. If not, the checks we get from Holy Spirit will come through loud and clear.

Remember that faith is spelled R I S K. To GO we must step out and take a risk.