(Further reflections on "Teaching & Showing"--Sunday 7-Apr-2024)
Self-control is not based on one's self-willed power, but a surrender of one's will (which is rebellious-in-nature) to the will to God. It is one of the varieties of "the fruit" (not fruits) of the Holy Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:22-23). This means, self-control is an outcome of one's belief, which leads to trust and obedience. Thus, non-believers, "Christers" (only going to Church on Christmas & Easter) or religious folks will not have a self-controlled lifestyle though they might have the appearance on some occasions (likely due to suppression/pretense).
Self-control is a lifestyle of those who believed and received salvation (being saved from eternal damnation) by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This salvation, they understood deeply, is neither a license to continue to live a sinful lifestyle (before knowing Jesus) nor a religious "ticket" to heaven (without having a personal relationship with Christ).
Okay! Okay, I got it. But how practically do I know if my being "self-controlled" is not "self-willed" but "God-willed?" It is practically not easy and not always clear. However, staying watchful or being aware of your soul (mind, will, and emotion), spirit, and considering these "4As" might be helpful.
ACKNOWLEDGE your emotion(s). Don't suppress but express it first to the Lord. For example, when I get upset, I talk to the Lord and allow its "toxins" to settle down at sunset, literally and biblically. However, sadly or stubbornly, in modern times, I keep it till midnight.
ASK, is my mind having the mind of Christ? Is my spirit right with the Lord? Is it yielding to the prompting/correction of the Holy Spirit?
ADHERE to God's word. What would be His counsel for me? Additionally, seek godly/pastoral counsels or at least with matured/devout Christ's followers (who are older in the Lord than you).
AVERT your will to God's will for the situation. This is fairly easy as it is an outcome of succeeding in the first three steps, fruitfully.
A self-controlled lifestyle in and through Jesus won't happen overnight, but overtime. It is from daily and closely walking with Christ; listening attentively to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, who always speak God's Word through the Holy Bible (66 Books); and knowing and adhering to the Word.
A self-controlled Body of Christ (the church) is being built up when members are each bearing the varieties of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, self-control.
May we all blossom in the Holy Spirit for the Lord, His Body, and the great commission and part of that is to show a self-controlled lifestyle that is rooted in Jesus by faith, even in the midst of a faithless generation and out-of-control world ("Everyone did as they saw fit." Cf. Judges 17:6; 21:25).
Lord, have mercy!
--
Pastor Lap
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