This is because God is Spirit, not flesh. It is our Spirit that responds to God. I must say though it may begin with a feeling it is more than a feeling. Our e-motions are a part of our soul and not our spirit. It is our spirit that desires to connect with God. Our soul and flesh gets in the way. That is why there is much written in the New Testament about obedience and living in the Spirit. It goes beyond what we feel to what we know in our spirits to be true (what we hear from the Holy Spirit.) [For example, when I was going through a very difficult trial in my life-only a year ago-my feelings told me that I was alone and no one cared. The Holy Spirit told me that I was loved and God cared and that He was using all that was happening for my good.] That is why you hear Christians say we live by faith not by sight, or we live by the Word of God and not by what we feel.
Yes, it takes trust and obedience. I know that in my own strength I will fail every time, but that doesnt stop me from quenching the spirit and trying it on my own. The whole of a Christian life is trust. We trust Jesus that He is the son of God, we trust the Bible that it is the Word of God, and we trust the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. Obedience is a product of trust. If I completely trust Jesus for life and salvation, the Holy Spirit as my guide, and that the Father has my best interest at heart I will live in obedience to God. I will obey because I trust.
(Concerning your comments about losing yourself) Perhaps, but I feel that in Christ I have truly found myself. My sins and inadequacies have been wiped away and I am able to be simply me-as I was created to love, live, and commune with the Father. But only in Christ can I find this love and this life, because only through acceptance of His sacrifice am I forgiven and my sins wiped away. And only in Christ am I able to do the things I am called to do. For without Christ I am nothing, but with Him I can do all things!
Many non-believers see Christians as weak because of our dependence upon Christ and the Holy Spirit, but we see it as strength. It takes a strong person to admit where they are wrong or fail. And it is preciously this strength (admitting our sin) that brings us to Christ, for without repentance we cannot receive forgiveness and it is forgiveness that allows us communion with the Father.
I must thank you for your comments, I agree with much of what you have said. Time is short and so must my answers be.
Upvote
0