You may think that it would be so much easier if we just had a list of rules to follow in our relationship with God instead of walking by faith? In a sense this was how it was under the law. ‘Do this and do that, and you will be pleasing to God’. Jesus shows us that this way doesn’t work and can cause us to end up like a Pharisee, who didn’t have much love for man or God, he just loved keeping rules.
Jesus shows us is that our Heavenly Father wants us to have a living relationship with Him and this requires a constant one on one interaction. Praise God He gave us the Holy Spirit to teach us how to maintain this relationship. Paul says that the way in which you can tell who the real children of God are those who are led by the Spirit of God (and not just by keeping rules).
“Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Romans 8:14
Jesus was always led by the Spirit and only did what He saw the Father doing. That is why He never seemed to do things the same way all the time, especially in the area of healing, but remember He always kept within the boundaries of the word.
In the old testament we read of Gideon asking God for guidance in what to do by laying out a fleece. We read of this in Judges 6:33-40. It would be great to live like this today wouldn’t it?
It’s amazing how God answered Gideon’s request when he put out these fleeces. Many Christians think this is God’s way to get guidance even in this New Testament Generation, but it’s far from the truth. In fact if you seek for guidance this way you will end up getting fleeced. God’s way in this NEW dispensation is not by circumstances, feelings or fleeces but by faith and His word and His Spirit. So much has changed since Gideon’s day. For one Jesus has died for our sins and opened the way for us to approach God personally. We have been Born Again and now have Christ within. We also have the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh and an abundance of the word and of course His Church – His Body.
Haven’t you tried putting out a fleece? “Lord if you want me to go to Church today please stop it raining.” “If you want me to tithe then let me have extra money left over this month or give me a raise.” Etc, etc.
The bible says; “those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Romans 8:14
It says those that are led by the Spirit and not by fleeces that are the sons of God. It may have been OK in Gideon’s day, but it’s not God’s best for us now, for we have the Spirit of God in us and He often prompts and leads us even contrary to our circumstances.
So many Christians are led by feelings and circumstances and the Devil has them running around in circles. We are pushed from pillar to post living in constant fear of doing the wrong thing, because we aren’t led by His Spirit.
One thing I really admire about Jesus was His complete freedom to do what His Father said and was not led by His feelings, people or circumstances, for He rested in such godly confidence.
To give you an example He walked past the Gate Beautiful every day and never healed the cripple man that had been there since birth. It’s not that He didn’t care but He always did what He saw the Father doing. It wasn’t until after His death that James and John came along and said those famous words. “Silver and gold have I none.” Many of us say the same words but it isn’t the Spirit leading us at all but us just pleading poverty. We then leave it there and don’t move onto the next level; “But such as I have give I unto you, in the name of Jesus Christ rise up and walk.”
Jesus wasn’t led by the cries of man, but the promptings of the Spirit. The sooner we do the same thing we will have less stress in our lives. For many of us we are ‘knee jerk’ reactionaries and end up in a constant state of condemnation because the Devil knows we can be so easily affected by circumstances and feelings and don’t know how to be led by the promptings of God. Don’t you know that God has moved into our lives and He can now think and move through us if we co-operate with Him?
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13
We need to realise that God is working in us and can also guide us through our desires within but we can over ride Him and continue to go by our flesh rather than the Spirit if we are not careful. This verse only works if you believe it. You have to mix faith with the word. Romans 4: 1-2
So often we feel a desire rise up within us to do certain things for God, but circumstances, people, feelings and opposition hinder us. We start believing and going for it but turn back time and time again with all the Red Sea Scenarios that we face. Look at Moses;
“Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. Exodus 14:13-15
The KJV says; “Move forward!” So often we have the Egyptians behind us and the Red Sea before us and we think that it can’t be God’s will to have the blessing we desire but if you listen to God’s Spirit you will hear Him say. “Keep moving forward regardless of what is happening.”
If you keep going by circumstances, feelings and fleeces you will stay sick, poor, discouraged, blinded and bound by Satan. We need to rise up in the freedom that He has already given us and learn to be led by God’s Spirit. This is the honour of God’s Children to walking by faith and not by sight.
“We live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
If you don’t want to be ‘fleeced’ then you need to get as much of God’s word into you so that your faith is built up daily. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
That’s not just hearing a verse about something once and living off it for years, but hearing and hearing and hearing the same word time and time again. Looking at it, thinking about it and speaking it out all the time in the face of oppostion.
“My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.” Proverbs 4:20-22
That is looking at, listening too and meditating on the word of God all the time. As your faith rises you can move into a place where you constantly shake off the accusations and doubts of Satan and begin to live in a place of confidence and authority, knowing the will of God in your life.
We are meant to be led by the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit more than by circumstances and this gives us peace that we are on the right track.
“Also, let Christ's peace control (Rule, Referee) you.” Colossians 3:15
Romans chapter 8 explains clearly that we are meant to be led by the Spirit of God within and are actually controlled by His Spirit, when we believe it and surrender our wills to Him.
This is a wonderful place to be in and is called the Rest of God. It’s a place where you can be all that God has called you to be with great confidence. You are not a ‘Cringing Slave’ anymore but a confident Child of the King.