Thursday, January 23, 2014

Give me that Power Bar!

This is an ongoing problem with many Christians. We look to the Holy Spirit as some kind of booster shot to empower or energize our human will. We expect Him to build up our supply of grit and determination, so we can stand up to temptation the next time it comes. We cry, “Make me strong, Lord! Give me an iron will, so I can withstand all sin.” But God knows this would only make our flesh stronger, enabling it to boast. It Is Finished, page 34

<idle musing>
When I teach about the presence of the Holy Spirit in a person's life, as an avid bicyclist, I use the example of a Power Bar™. Those of you old enough to remember Underdog might recall the secret compartment of his ring that conveniently held a power pill. But all of these illustrate the same point—the Holy Spirit isn't going to work that way; we can't do it—even with a power pill. Only the presence of God via the Holy Spirit can do it.

And I praise God for that; if it depended on my strength, grit, and determination, it wouldn't happen...
</idle musing>

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