Lesson 399: "At A Distance"
Do you love God but feel as if you are following Him at a distance? Read the Words of God; "I am a God who is near. I am also a God who is far away. No one can hide where I cannot see him. I fill all of Heaven and earth" (Jer. 23:23-24). Remember that Peter followed Jesus "afar off" (Luke 22:54) but was reinstated and you may be also. Stay awake and pray for strength against temptation. The spirit wants to do what's right but the body is weak (Matt. 26:41). Give yourselves completely to God, which takes holy practice, but when you do the devil will flee and God will come near to you (James 4:7-8). Jesus emphasized that Christians must produce fruit. By comparing believers to branches on a grape vine, Jesus explained that we do not produce fruit through our efforts. We bear fruit only by uniting with Him and letting Him work through us (John 15:1-11).
Spiritual conduct is a struggle. God knew this would be so He gave us the full armor of God (Eph. 6:11). Spiritual dryness or becoming a temporary Spiritual drop out is neglecting God's will and this is when we suffer (1 Tim. 4:14-16, Heb. 2:1-3). To prevent Spiritual drop out and dryness we must accept personal responsibility for ourselves. Recognize that God has saved you in order that you might be of service to others (Matt. 28:18-20). Respond to the inward witness of the Holy Spirit. He seeks to lead you toward Spiritual maturity (Isa. 11:12). The Holy Spirit is our Divine Comforter and Guide (John 14:26). We need to be attentive to His leading in our lives (Luke 12:12).
Jesus can help each of us to become mature, competent and productive Christians. He came that we might have life and that we might have it more abundantly (John 10:10). "And let us not become weary in will doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Gal. 6:9). Elijah became spiritually dry because of exhaustion, loneliness and fear (1 Kings 19). He was one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament, yet after all of his feats (1 Kings Chapters 17-18), he sat under a bush and said; "I have had enough Lord" (1 Kings 19:14). Maybe you just need to sit under a bush for awhile and "be still and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10). Let God examine you and test you, seeing if there is any bad thing in you so that He might lead you on the road to everlasting life (Ps. 139:23-24).
When a person's steps follow the Lord, God is pleased (Ps. 37:23), therefore "I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in Him. Then your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 15:13).