Nougat 15

I remember my friends were hanging out with Y’shua one day when a rich young man engaged Him in conversation. Whole they chatted, the young man asked about the Commandments. It felt as though he was trying to brag about his spiritual and material accomplishments. As you might have guessed, Y’shua was not impressed. In fact, Y’shua later commented that it’s extremely difficult for the wealthy to get eternal life. (His wording was sharper, but we digress). I suspect He knew many are just ticking boxes.

Y’shua’s statement discouraged a few. They couldn’t see an attainable eternity if it was so challenging for rich box-tickers. But the point Y’shua was making in Luke 18 was less about ticking boxes and more of a call to relationship: with God and others. This includes our awareness of others’ needs, and doing our part to meet them.

I share this story because it probably captures our own response to the Ten Commandments. It feels like an impossible task, with failure stamped all over our attempts to comply. If that is your situation, we are in the same boat …

But …

Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

John 14:26 NLT

[26] But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

By God’s Spirit

My theory is simple: we can’t obey God’s commandments in our own strength. But, God’s Spirit, Who lives in us, will teach us and help us to live as faithfully to God as possible. The lessons may be what I call a ‘check in our spirits’; it may be illumination when we read God’s Word; it could even be someone confirming what we sensed ourselves, or another person sharing new perspectives with us . Whichever route used, I guarantee God’s Spirit is with us to guide us.

Our task therefore, is to entrust our lives and actions to God’s Spirit. Our older sibling says it this way, ‘trust in the Lord with all [our] hearts, and do not depend on [our natural gifts or] what we understand. Prioritize God in every decision and action, and God’s Spirit will direct us.’ (See Proverbs 3:4-5 for the literal quote)

Doable? Let’s do it

Assignment

Our Assignment therefore is, include God’s Spirit in our love relationship with God.

Keep God’s will our primary aim in life.

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May all we seek be found in Christ