Walk on the Path – staying on track
It’s Not All Up To God
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1
You and I have a responsibility to stay free. Jesus sets you free with His power, so that you can walk free and stay free. It is your responsibility to take hold of what you have been given, and resist becoming entangled again in bondage. In this chapter learn how to stay on track and maintain the liberty you have in Christ. The Bible teaches that you have to resist the devil. God will not do it for you. Yes, He will help you stand your ground. But you have to resist the devil for yourself.
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7-8
Why will the devil flee as in terror from you? You have the risen Christ living in you, and He is greater than the devil! When you speak His Word, the devil sees and hears Jesus coming through you, and this frightens him! The Holy Spirit in you is greater than the devil. Be sure not to talk up the devil’s power. The only power he has is the power he convinces you he has.
The Highway of Holiness
God’s pathway or the ‘Highway of Holiness’ is not set aside for some special holy men, but for all New Testament believers. We are called as a holy nation, a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), and God’s protection and provision is found on this Highway.
A highway shall be there, and a road,
And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness .
The unclean shall not pass over it,
But it shall be for others.
Whoever walks the road, although a fool,
Shall not go astray.
No lion shall be there,
Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it;
It shall not be found there.
But the redeemed shall walk there, Isaiah 35:8-9
Though you and I may act foolishly at times, and even consider ourselves to be simple, because God is in our lives, we can walk tall and safely on His ancient pathway.
How to Stay on Track
You may start well with all good intentions, and that is good. However, we live in a world that will distract us from the straight and narrow path if we let it. Ponder the following pointers in order to stay on track.
Forever remember God’s benefits.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness
and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:2-5
God wants you enjoy the daily load of benefits he has for you. Forgiveness, healing, redemption, mercy, good things are all yours in what Jesus has done for you on the cross. Exalt His grace above all the negativity in your life. He has taken you from minus to plus. Walk in the plus zone!
Fellowship regularly with your God.
You and I were created for healthy open fellowship with God. Sin entered in and spoilt that closeness when Adam sinned. But, thank God, Jesus came to reestablish close fellowship. The bible teaches that you can get as close to God as you want.
When you sin as a Christian, close fellowship is broken, but not your relationship with God. The accuser (the devil)will exploit this situation and try to heap guilt and shame on you, if you let him.
Be prepared to admit to God that, at times you have missed the mark and sinned. At the same time, reassert your faith in His righteousness in you as His gift. When you do, you walk in the light, are forgiven and even ‘cleansed’ from any tainting that came through the sin. This speaks of your conscience.
I believe God gives you a lot of room to grow. Not that He is slack and to be taken as the “Big Easy” who lets anything go. He knows and identifies with your infirmities, (Jesus faced temptation too), and so gives you ‘room’ to make mistakes as you grow. Of course He does not want you to take advantage of His grace and use it as a ‘license to sin’. On the contrary he wants His grace to be seen as a license to grow out of sinful habits. Otherwise you will be so tight and when you do slip up, as you are sure to do, you won’t spiral into despair and unnecessary guilt because you have done it again!
Think of the Corinthian Church, riddled with partisan strife, immorality, lawsuits, holding disorderly church and communion services, yet Paul describes them as still in the ‘church’ and ‘called to be saints’ (1 Corinthians 1:1-5).
He was ‘cultivating’ their faith by bringing to them sound doctrine, rebuke, correction and instruction all rolled into one letter. He called them brothers as they were still accepted in the beloved, and part of the body of Christ. Their position and calling was secure, even though their practice and conduct was shaky.
This speaks to me that God is well aware that you still fall short on the journey, and the grace, mercy and forgiveness that got you saved in the first place, will keep you saved.
Forget looking behind you.
“Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19
You have parted company with the devil, and now walk with God. Be forward looking. He has a future and a hope for you, not a past! Paul had to forget his religious past where he done much harm as an accomplice to murder, (Acts 8:1), and press on. He now based his life on God’s forgiveness and mercy, and refused to wallow in regret and self-pity. He was now moved by conviction, not convenience, circumstance or comfort! You don’t have to pay penance for past sins, only persevere in God’s new purposes.
Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:14-15
You don’t want to get ahead of God. Let Him lead you by His Spirit. Avoid pressing ahead in presumption without fully pursuing His perspective on things. It is what you learn after you think you have a handle on something that really counts. Let something settle before moving out. He will never lead you back into bondage. However, the enemy will take advantage of your zeal and subtlety position you for a fall if you are not safely behind the Lord’s leading.
Flow together in with others of ‘like faith’.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42
One of the key reasons why the early church was so vibrant was because they understood the value of sticking together under God’s local covering apostolic fellowship. Today, people are often so casual about the church they engage with. The life that flows into you through your fellowship ought to be healthy. When you need to turn to someone to help you carry a load, you had better be amongst your own company of like-minded believers.
Finish the race.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7
Paul had to fight and keep the faith in order to finish his race. The enemy tried to distract, discourage and deceive him along the way. He learnt that the circumstances he faced that seemed to overwhelm him were never bigger than God’s grace.
Realize that the good work God has begun in you He will see to completion, and whatever He does is forever. All else is subject to change. The devil is liar, and God is always truthful. He will keep you on track as you listen to His voice and wait upon Him to strengthen you on the journey.
There is a price to pay to finish the race. God will take from you only that which holds you back. In turn, He will always give you what you need to prosper on your journey. He is faithful and has never let anyone down yet.
As you grow in the Lord, remember that things take time to play out. There are seasons, and the word has to be sown in good soil and watered before reaping season follows.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6:7-9
If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing to the finish. Wait on the Lord, minister to Him in praise and worship and let His strength become yours so that you can finish the race and enjoy His abundant life and the way!