We've all seen it. It could be counted as one of the cutest things the eyes of man could ever behold: when a little boy wants to be just like his daddy. Whether it be the little tyke pretending to shave along side Pops in the morning, developing the same interests as Dad, or becoming likened to the same favorite foods, it's a sight to behold. There is something that little guy sees in his daddy that is so highly esteemed that it is worthy of copying. And let me tell you, it's even more beautiful to watch those dads beam with pride at the sight of their son following in their footsteps. Those dads walk with more confident strides, shoulders back, chests puffed out saying, "YEP! That's MY son! And he wants to be JUST LIKE ME!" Nothing can compare to the precious bond between a father and his son.
Do you think it's the same way with God and His kids?
I was listening to Pandora Online Radio and at the end of Hosanna's rendition of "None but Jesus," the common worship song that goes "Bless the Lord, oh my soul! Bless His holy name" played over and over again. Even after the song ended, the words echoed in my heart much like the way Christmas songs remain with you for weeks past Santa and Rudolph. As I was singing those words, I was filled with such a joy that I am not able to describe. I began to wonder just what it would take for my life to be a blessing to God. I mean, He doesn't need anything from me because He has no desire for material possessions or anything of earthly value. So what would it take for me to please God?
In Romans chapter 8, Paul writes to the believers in Rome about the vast difference between living in the Spirit versus living in the flesh. While living in the flesh can bring about words like sin (v.2), death (v.2), weak (v.3), hostile (v.7), slavery (v.15), fear (v.15), living in the Spirit produces much the opposite: no condemnation (v.1), life, (v.2,6), peace (v.6), alive (v.10), and righteousness (v.10). As Romans 8 describes so well, it would profit me to live in the Spirit! Life! Peace! Vitality! Righteousness! But really, that's not the best part.
If Romans 8:8 is true (which it is) when it says, "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God," then the opposite is also true: those who are in the Spirit can please God! In other words, when we live as God (ahem, the Spirit-John 4:24) we please God! The passage goes even further to say we "have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but [we] have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, as heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed with suffer with Him so that we may be glorified with Him" (Romans 8:15-7).
Is anybody else excited? How can I NOT be? Because I have the Spirit of God in me, I belong to GOD Himself! He calls me His daughter! My flesh is good and dead because I have been crucified with Christ! It is no longer I that live but the Spirit of God that lives in me (Galatians 2:20)! I have been bought at a very, very high price--the price of God Himself! I have been reborn in the power and purity of the resurrection of my Lord! My life is HOPE because of the ONE who claimed it as His own! I am not my own! And as I by the Spirit put to death the deeds of my flesh, I will live. Verse 14 says that if I am being led by the Spirit of God, I am a child of God!
Much like the kiddo and his daddy, so I gaze with wide, curious eyes up at the One who made me with a deep desire to be just like Him. I see Him in the sweetness of spring and in the compassionate hearts of the unlikely revolutionaries of generations old. I see Him in the faith of children, the blaze of young love, and the resurrection of the lives of His people. He may be big and I may be little but that won't stop me from being like my Father. I may never be able to please God by giving Him anything, but by golly, I'll please Him by trying to be like Him.
Bless the Lord, oh my soul. Let everything that is within me bless Your holy name.
1 comment:
Stevie, thanks a lot for writing these notes. Especially this one...I really appreciate the father-son picture. As strange as it is to say, I haven't thought of my relationship with God like that in a while.
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