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Doing the Impossible

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But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames. (I Corinthians 3:13-15)

Once upon a time there was a Christian who decided to live the Christian life by his own power. Sure, he trusted Christ for salvation, but after that he was all about the 'me' baby! So he would worship God, read the Bible, pray, and even tell others about Christ without ever asking God for help in these areas. This went on all his life until he died, and when he stood before God on judgment day, he couldn't wait to see the huge reward that surely awaited him for all the 'Christian' things he did.

But that's not what happened. What did happen was the most embarrassing moment in his existence, because when his life was tested by the fires of judgment, it burned up like a wad of paper in a massive blaze. All that was left was the heavenly robe he was given when he trusted Christ. He then knew that he would spend eternity as one who just barely made it into heaven - almost as if the flames of hell were chasing him down as he entered the gates of paradise.

"But God..." he cried "I lived my life for you! I prayed, I read the Bible, I worshipped you, I told others about you! How then did I end up with nothing???"

Jesus answered him simply:

"You ended up with nothing, because apart from me you can do nothing..."

And neither can you. You can try, you can fool people around you, you can even fool yourself, but you can't fool God-who made it clear that living the Christian life without Christ is the most foolish thing you can do. That's why the last part of Jesus' answer is also one of the most important verses in the Bible. So important, in fact, that here it is again:

"Apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

It's not hard to live the Christian life without Christ...it's impossible:

im·pos·si·ble (adj.)
Not capable of being accomplished: an impossible goal.

You can't change the past, but you can control your future by allowing Christ to control your efforts at living, loving, serving, and sharing. How do we do that? Simple: we let go and let God through the power of the Holy Spirit:

"...let the Holy Spirit fill and control you" (Ephesians 5:18).

Several other translations of the Bible put it this way:

"... be filled with the Spirit."

The phrase 'be filled' is packed with meaning-so let me unpack it a little bit so we can start packing away our future rewards!

OK - prepare to be impressed (hehe) - because here is how it looks in Greek:

plerousthe

This verb is written in what's called an imperative mood. Imperative meaning it is a command-not a suggestion. It's also in the present tense-which in the Greek means a continuous action, so we could translate this to read "be being filled continuously." It is an action which begins and is carried on. We're not called to simply be filled once, we are commanded to maintain the state of being filled continuously with the Spirit of God. Finally the verb is written in a passive voice which means that the subject is acted upon by another. Being filled with the Spirit is something that the Spirit does to us. He empowers us-our job is simply to surrender. We give up and let the Lord take control...control of our thoughts, our desires, our dreams, and our actions. Confess your sin and ask the Holy Spirit to fill and control you each and every day.

Speaking of control, are you ready to give it up and give your all to God in the power of the Spirit? If not, I would suggest enjoying your earthly rewards-because you sure aren't getting any in heaven!

Head: What you need to know about this truth

The Christian life is impossible to live apart from the power of the Holy Spirit, so we must continually let Him fill and control us through confession and surrender.

Heart: What you need to feel about this truth

There is a story told by a veteran of WWII who was in Italy. He passed a statue of Christ that had had its hands blown off by an exploding shell. Someone had penciled a sign and hung it around the neck of this statue...the sign read; "No hands but yours." Just as we were offered the hand of love by Christ to lift us up to a new life, so we are called to be the hands of Christ in the world today. Let us be the Church, the living hands of Christ, and offer the love of God to a world desperate for healing.

Hands: What you need to do about this truth

We are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith alone. However, true prayer is one way of expressing your faith. The following is a suggested prayer from one of the most Spirit filled men who ever lived - Dr. Bill Bright.

"Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been directing my own life and that, as a result, I have sinned against You. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ's death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit."

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If so, bow in prayer and trust God to fill you with the Holy Spirit right now.