Have you ever created an accountability checklist?
If you have made the conscious decision to follow Christ, then you know what it is like to experience the forgiveness of God. When mercy met you and cleansed the evil away, you were put in right standing with your Creator. As a result, accountability took on a new look.
Are you now accountable for your actions? No, and yes. NO – Jesus paid the price for your sins. There was nothing you could do to purge the evil from your life, but through the gift of Gods’s son, your debt was paid. YES – God expects you to walk the path he lays before you.
The very moment you decided to follow God, you were given a calling.
All God’s children were. Everyone in the family of God has been given a unique call, designed to match our abilities perfectly; designated to exhibit God’s glory. Maybe your one-of-kind call was evident to you right away. More than likely, it took time to gain insight. For some, it may be a lifetime struggle to understand God’s plan.
Our first calling isn’t unique to us.
All Christ-followers were immediately summoned to perform the same duty at their meeting at the cross – our first calling was to leave our evil desires there. Walk away from them. Let them die, and instead, follow the Holy Spirit’s leading.
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s
leading in every part of our lives.” Galatians 5:24-25 NLT
The enemy doesn’t want us to crave spiritual fruit.
The following list found in the fifth chapter of Galatians alerts us to ways that evil is trying to take us hostage.
Do we desire:
- Sexual immorality and Lustful pleasures
- Impurity
- Idolatry
- Sorcery
- Hostility, Quarreling, Outbursts of anger
- Jealousy and Selfish ambition
- Dissension, Division, and Envy
- Drunkenness and Wild parties
- Things like the above
If we long for any of the things listed, we have not yet surrendered that area of our life to God’s authority.
What does the Spirit’s lead look like?
How can we know we are living by the Spirit? Let this list from the same chapter of the Bible be our guide – our accountability checklist.
Do we desire:
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Patience
- Kindness
- Goodness
- Faithfulness
- Gentleness
- Self-control
These are the fruits of the Spirit. If we seek these things, we are following the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
It’s a battle.
“The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.” Galatians 5:17 NLT
We aren’t fighting alone.
“The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Exodus 14:14 NLT
How should we respond?
“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” Romans 8:31 NLT
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