a) obey, b) believe, c) confess. Answer: confess. I cannot generate belief/faith, because faith is a gift from Above. It is not like a muscle that I exercise. I don’t exercise/generate faith from within myself. It is a gift. But I can confess, when convicted of my sin of unbelief. When I attempt to be responsible in ministry, or in life, I might be responsible by grace — by the power of the Spirit, or responsible by flesh — by the power of me. When I’m responsible by the power of me, I tend to dumb down the law and dumb down sin to where following Jesus is doable, doing ministry, is doable, obeying is doable. Up to me. Kingdom-expanding ministry, even following Jesus, is impossible, without the convicting work of His Spirit. But when I notice my unbelief, I can confess. When I’m indifferent to Jesus, prayer, Scripture, I can confess. When I notice that my ministry idol — or any idol, is strong, I can confess my dissatisfaction with Him. When I notice self-contempt and others-contempt, I can confess I don’t care about Him, and His view of me or others.
Ahhh. Fresh conviction/confession. Completely forgiven. Deep peace. Deep contentment, with myself, with others, with Him and His perfect plan for my life, including the harrrd.
–DumbSheepDave, saner, more peaceful, than ever, hoping the pre-believers are noticing the difference Jesus is making in 2013
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