Control Freak part 4
At most you can control only yourself. But, I'm convinced you can't even do that. Not on your own. Not without the help of the Holy Spirt. If self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (and it is), then you need the Holy Ghost to help you control yourself. Here's the key, "For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God" (Titus 2:11-12). It's one thing to be instructed to turn from something. And it's another thing to know that, in turning FROM godless living we are turning TO, well, God. But it is even more important to know and believe and understand that it is His grace, revealed to us, that brings this salvation. Grace is so important to this "Christian" walk. And let me say this: Mercy is not getting what you deserve, and grace is getting what you don't deserve. Look at Matthew 11:28-30 in the Message Bibe, "Are you tried? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." The unforced rhythms of grace. I love that phrase. If you have to force it, it's not rest and it's not grace. I love the idea of getting away with Jesus. Sometimes we look at Him--as the entire "Christian" life--as a ball and chain that holds us back and drags us down. Especially in the context of self-control. But I'm telling you... grace doesn't stop you from doing anything. Grace simply shows you what you REALLY want to do. I've heard it said before that Jesus is not a window that you look through in order to see what you're "supposed to be." He is a mirror you look into to see who you really are! But that takes time. Rome wasn't built in a day. We are on a never-ending eternal life-long journey into the heart of the matter. Which, of course, is the heart. God's heart beating with love in our chests. You can't control love. But love DOES control you. You can't serve two masters. But you WILL serve one. So walk with Jesus and work with Jesus. Learn how to live freely and lightly. Here's the deal--remember when Paul wrote about how under the Law you do the things you hate and you can't do the things you really want to do? Grace is the power of God inside you that equips and empowers you to do the things you ACTUALLY want to do. Like, you know, experiencing His love... by letting Him love you and loving Him back by loving the people you come into contact with! It's all about love. Self-control is about giving what you've got--the love of God--instead of trying to get what you think you haven't got. If you're always spending (wasting) your three T's (Time, Talent, Treasure) on trying to get something... you're robbing yourself of what you already have. And you experience what you already have by operating from rest. By simply letting what's inside come out by knowing and believing that it's in there. Self-control is knowing what you have and giving it away. Letting what's inside come out by filling yourself to overflowing with what God has filled you with. When you can stop trying to get, get, get... that's when you can give. And when you know what you have, that's when you can give what you have. And when you give what you have, that's when (and how) you can experience what you have!