By the Spirit

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (Rom. 8.14)

 

There are two kinds of Christians:

those who are led by the Spirit, 

and those who are primarily led by the mind.

 

Led by the mind ... 

when the mind leads the way through life:

when the Word of God is seen through the medium of human understanding,

when life's challenges are untangled through a process led by thinking,

when life's emotions are controlled by a reasoning process,

when everything is ordered and regulated by the capacities of the mind.

 

The process ends when the mind is overwhelmed -

defeat comes:

when there are no answers to be had,

when there is no way to advance,

when the burdens increase and the body finds itself without strength to carry on.

 

This is the limit of human capability, but God offers another Way.

His Spirit is given to take over the control of life.

He is the Light for our darkened understanding.

He is the Strength for our weak endeavors.

 

God's ways are not our ways - but in His ways freedom is to be found.

In His ways there is all provision, at all times, for all needs.

 

Years ago Any Carmichael said, "God trusts us to trust Him."

This is the way of the Spirit - 

a depositing all our resources at God's feet,

a forsaking of all self determination, 

and a clinging to God alone for all our needs.

 

When we see God as the Answer to all of life,

when we see that there is nothing hidden or unknown to Him,

when we give everything human into His hands,

then His Spirit will lead us in sure paths.

 

"There is no want to them that fear Him." (Ps. 34.9)