My face hurts

Because I'm being dragged on it.

I think it was Rick Holland who was speaking about sinning and having grace abound. The common phrase that came up was "Let go and let God." Meaning we don't need to be intentional or work towards sanctification because God is at work in us. After all, thats what Philippians 2:13.

But next time someone tells you anything like that, tell them to read the previous verse. Philippians 2:12 exhorts Christians to WORK out their own salvation with fear and trembling.

So which is it? Is it that God is working in us or are we to work too? The answer: Yes.

Truly there is no other way, than to trust and obey. It's both. God is in sovereign control, but it is in His plan and His will for us to obey. The second part of Philippians 2:13 affirms this.

"For it is God who works in you

Both to work and to will for His good pleasure"

One of the results of God's work is that WE would work and will for His pleasure.

Where we fail, is not having the right balance of trust and obey. Some sin continuously. "trusting" in God to make things work out for His good. Technically thats true, but not what God wills. He could just make everything perfect but in His omniscient sovereignty, has decided and commanded that He be glorified by us. So obey. But when we go too far that way we end up failing too. We try to be in control and God humbles us.

This is why I'm being dragged on my face. I try to be so obedient that I should gain some control. (I love the analogy of running towards the goal if you haven't noticed) Look at ME God, I got new running shoes called proficiency in an instrument of praise. Look at ME God, I've been training for this race with my habitual disciplines workout. Look at ME God, I've joined and been sponsored the charitable causes that i serve at called Berean, CCM, Work, and Home. Look at ME God, I encourage the other runners, giving them shallow tips, and trying to help them when they fall. Look at ME!

Too often God needs to tell me to shutup and look around, and when I do, I see that I'm not running the race, I'm being dragged. God is moving me one way and I'm working in another direction, effectively dragging myself. At this point in my imagination God stops to tell me.

"Use the muscles in your legs that are MY strength"

"Use the oxygen in you blood that is MY ever flowing love"

"Use the calories that are MY sustaining Word"

"And when you fall on your face like you are now, let ME be your crutch"

I hope I'm not being blasphemous by quoting what God might say in my imagination, but regardless I come to the conclusion that I've been relying a bit too much on what I ME MYSELF can do and not relying much at all on GOD. There is nothing good I can do apart from You God.