Step Into the Water

As I was contemplating what to write about, the thought came to me that the tradition of making resolutions should, (as Christians are concerned) be at Easter time, not New Years.

Supposedly, a key element to a New Years Resolution is that it is made in anticipation of the New Year, and new beginnings. Well, Easter is all about new beginnings!

Our Heavenly Father, bringing Jesus back to life, having victory over sin and death, gave us a new life for eternity. Sending us (those who are in Christ by faith) the Holy Spirit to lead us through the process of sanctification and enabling us to obey Scripture, and be in cooperation with the Spirit.

By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:2-4 ~ For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:3-5

But faith without works is dead! Faith and deeds go together! As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:26 By chance, has the Holy Spirit been speaking to you about being involved at church? Tithing? Reaching out to your 

neighbor? Sharing the good news with a co-worker or helping someone in need?

These thoughts reminded me of a song by The Cathedrals called Step Into The Water. The chorus and first verse go like this:

Step into the water
Wade out a little bit deeper
Wet your feet in the water of His love
Step into the water
Wade out a little bit deeper
Come join angels singing praise to the Lamb of God

1. It's time we, the people, stand up for what is right
It's time we squared our shoulders back and raised our swords to fight
For the Bible is my weapon and the Spirit is my shield
The Church needs more of its members to be workers in the field

By experience, I have found that most of the time, it takes a step of faith to do something the Holy Spirit is leading us to do. Spiritual growth involves stretching, which can be uncomfortable and even scary at times. Human beings love being comfortable, staying in "our bubble" so to speak. 

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. I Peter 4:10-11

Step into the water - its just fine.

Vertical focus, not horizontal!