Do I believe that my old self was crucified with Christ on the cross? What step will I take today to trust Christ to live his life in me?
The Perspective:
Christ Formed In You
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17, NIV)
The kingdom of God is inside us. It is the person of Jesus Christ. Attributes include righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Eating and drinking are “external factors”—perishing activities that feed a perishing physical body. They are among the things we can see. The internal workings of the Spirit are eternal, unseen except as they are reflected in our behavior. These attributes are part of the divine character God wants to work out in us.
Paul prayed, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NIV)
This “overflowing” is God working in us in response to our placing our trust and faith in him. By the power of the Spirit we can overflow with hope.
Our circumstances are always changing. My mother once said, “The picture changes.” For most of us the picture of our circumstances changes daily. One day it is sunny. Other days it rains. Only the Holy Spirit can produce the hope that anchors our soul.
My mother also said, “This too will pass.” Nothing is permanent in this temporary world.
We have to realize just what kind of a world we are presently living in:
“…For the form of this world is passing away.” (1 Corinthians 7:31, NKJV)
“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16, NLT)
We are being renewed inwardly by the Holy Spirit. This is one of the major reasons we need to be in constant communion with the Holy Spirit. He gives us the spiritual empowerment, life, and hope that enables us to live in this environment held under the sway of the evil one. If we practice the principles of KingdomNomics—SOAK, SOW, AND FLOW—we will experience continuous renewal in the Holy Spirit.
Today, ask yourself:
What is one thing I can do today to cultivate a Godly perspective with regard to what is happening in the world around me?
The Power:
Christ Formed In You
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18, NIV)
We have a choice to make. Who is going to control how we think, feel, and act? Christ or the old self?
We have seen that the Spirit of God gives us the power to walk in the newness of life since we are raised with Christ from the dead. We have seen how the Spirit works in the life of the believer to transform us from the inside out.
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16, NIV)
If the Spirit controls us we will overcome the power of sin in our life. “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13, NIV)
Both of these verses say we have the power of choice here. What will it be? It is up to us.
As a child I was taken to an amusement park from time to time. Usually, we ride on the bumper cars that had large rubber rings around them to protect the drivers. The “fun” was trying to bump the other cars. Sometimes people would hit us too hard. That would produce a fleshly reaction of anger that would make us want to hit back as hard as possible.
Life is like this. We are always being “bumped” by circumstances and other people. Sometimes these bumps can be rather nasty, producing a less-than-Christian response. At those moments we have a decision to make: Will we let the old flesh control our reaction, or will Christ control us?
We make the choice by the act of our will. If we fail to make the right choice, we need to confess the sin and ask the Holy Spirit to again assume control. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NIV)
The old self does rear its ugly head from time to time, so we want to be careful to keep a “short sin list” by confessing our sin when we become aware of it.
Today, ask yourself:
Am I choosing to be controlled by the Holy Spirit so my life can be brought into conformance with the will of God? Is my behavior becoming more Christ like?
he Priority:
Christ Formed In You
“Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5 , NKJV)
We spend time with the people we love, and we spend time doing the things we love. Such endeavors frequently require patience. This is certainly the case in our relationship with God. The process of getting to know him takes time and patience.
A lot of things cry for our attention. However, most of these distractions are temporal; they are in the process of perishing. KingdomNomics thinkers focus on the eternal:
“…We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18, NKJV)
We want to make sure our heart is directed into the love of God—into his values and his purposes.
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4, NKJV)
Focus on the words “seek,” “set,” “died,” “your life hidden,” and “Christ who is our life.”
As we seek the things above and set our minds on those things, there is an increasing “gravitational pull” toward Christ himself as we “pull away” from the world, realizing our lives ultimately will be swallowed by the immortal life of Christ.
In fact, as we practice KingdomNomics in the power of the Spirit, more and more of our life will be hidden in Christ. We look forward to that time when we will appear with him in glory.
We need to remember the Father and Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:3, NIV)
Here is the source of wisdom and the treasures of life. If only we, and the rest of the world, would spend time with the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
Today, ask yourself:
If someone were examine my life today, what would they say I have my mind set on, and what am I seeking as the first priority of my life?
Where does this command of Jesus fit into my life: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33, NIV)