Everyday Christian Living: Repent and Rely
Psalm 139:23 - 24
Search me, God, and know my heart; put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.
“Search me, God, and know my heart; put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:23 - 24).
"And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
We have been thinking about living out the Christ-life every day. How is it that I can make everyday count for Jesus? How is it that I can focus on Jesus everyday, die to my fleshly desires and live everyday in the victory Christ has already gained for me? I suspect you wrestle with these questions just as I do.
I have given you four words so far for us to consider: reflect, rejoice, receive and rest. Part of living the Christ-life is found in..
Reflecting daily on God’s goodness
Rejoicing daily in God’s coming
Receiving daily God’s blessings
And resting daily in God’s sovereignty
Let’s add two more words to our growing list of daily attitudes and actions but before we do, there is something very important for us to remember.
This victory that we so desperately want to walk in has already been won! We are NOT attempting to live the Christ-life for victory; we are living the Christ-life from victory. This victory has already been conquered; it has already been achieved. That is because of the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. His completed work provides for us this victory.
I am so grateful it is not up to me to achieve it, to attain it, or to acquire it. It is simply up to me to claim it as my inheritance. With that in mind, let’s take a look today at two more words.
Repent
We simply cannot make everyday count for Jesus when we are holding on to sin in our lives. That statement may sound strong but the truth is, when we as followers of Christ are holding on tightly to known sin, then we are living life in the power of the old nature of man and not the new nature of Christ.
King David was doing just that. The early part of David’s life is a picture of faith, commitment, surrender, and walking with God. But one day, long after he had become King, David let down his spiritual guard and began walking in compromise. David’s sin included adultery with Bathsheba, deception and murder of Uriah, and his lying to Nathan the prophet. But God caught up with David and we read these words:
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).
David had come face to face with God Himself and David knew he needed to repent, to turn away from his sin, and to confess his sin before God. There is a lesson for us from the life of David, we cannot make everyday count for Jesus, when we are holding on to sin and rebellion against God.
In Psalm 51:10 - 12, David prays, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.” David knew he needed to be right with God and so he turned from that sin in confession and repentance. David also knew there could be no faithful service to God with a dirty heart. In Psalm 51:13, David prays, “Then I will teach transgressors Your ways…” Confession precedes service.
Right now, would you take a few minutes to confess your sin before God? In fact I encourage you to name those sins specifically and ask God to cleanse your heart. By the way, I am so grateful this DOES NOT mean we have to be saved all over again. It DOES mean we make ourselves right with Him each day by keeping a clean heart.
Rely
God has not only provided to us the salvation we need to know Him, He has also given us the power to walk daily with Him and that power is found in and through the Holy Spirit of God.
If it is up to me to make every day count for Jesus, then I am doomed. I cannot live the Christ-centered life in my own power; I need the Holy Spirit of God who is living in me.
"And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).
The Holy Spirit is a person, not a thing, not a force, not an “it.” When we are saved, God’s Spirit comes to reside permanently within us, to indwell us. And while the work of the Holy Spirit is expansive in our lives, for today, let’s focus on the fact that he fills our lives. Simply put He controls us and consumes us.
That means for us as Christ-followers, we can live the everyday Christian life by relying on Him to guide, lead, and control us. One of the greatest enemies in my life is ME; that is right, my flesh does not want to relinquish control. But my life, and yours, is much better when we say Lord, I totally rely on You today; consume and control me!
An Important Reminder
So today we have added two new words to the daily process of living the Everyday Christian Life. We can spend each day…
Reflecting daily on God’s goodness
Rejoicing daily in God’s coming
Receiving daily God’s blessings
Resting daily in God’s sovereignty
Repenting of our sin
Relying on His Spirit
Just a final word, don’t make this a list of do’s and don’ts. That is certainly not my intention for this message. These things are born out of our personal, intimate relationship as God’s children. These are not to be burdensome, they are actually the opposite; they are freeing as we learn more about Christ each day.
I look forward to talking with you next week about Everyday Christian Living.