I realized last night that I have been very distant from my faith lately. I know this happens to all of us on a regular basis, but I want to feel lead to the spirit always! I wanted to explore how to do this; how to always feel connected to God, so I "Dove into scriprture" to take a further look!
One thing that stands in our way is the desires of the earth. Every single person has something on Earth that keeps them from God! The problem is, as long as we are in our earthly bodies, we will never truly be rid of them. So how then can we find escape from these things that are hindering our faith? Paul knows!
Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV) says:
"But I say, walk by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the spirit, and the desires of the spirit are against the flesh, for those are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
God designed it so that his desires and our earthly desires would oppose each other. That means the more we strive for one, the more we lose interest in the other. I think the sole reason we ever become far from our faith with God is that we become too concerned with our earthly desires. Instead, we should strive for a life in the spirit! I know it's really hard to jump with excitement back into a faith you've been neglecting, but if you can grind through the beginning, it becomes so natural and easy, and then you are fulfilled and the earthly things no longer have the same appeal to you!
Another thing I noticed was how unhappy I am when I am not in a habit of spending time alone with God. I do all the same things, but I do not do them with faith.
James 2:14-17
"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed or lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them "Go in peace, be warmed and filled" without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
We have to have actions along with our faith or our faith is pointless and does nothing for God. I believe that, in the same way, actions without faith are also dead. That's what I was doing. I had all the actions, but my heart wasn't in it. We must always be giving back to God. Not just in one day pieces, but in our entire life.
Paul says in Romans 12:1-2 "...Present your bodies as living Sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be comformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
So if we give our lives to God, with actions, and with faith, a living sacrifice, he will give us discernment, and then we can escape our earthly desires and walk comfortably, and confidently in the spirit!
Finally, one of the most important things about staying in your faith is not to be discouraged. It's very easy to feel bad when you see other people worshipping and living closely with God when you are not. It's also very easy to think "Well, I'm just going to slip away again so why even bother." Our faith is always a rollercoaster, where we have good seasons and bad seasons, highs and lows, But our God is a merciful and forgiving God, who loves us in spite of our shortcomings! He never loses faith in us! So keep pushing when you've drifted away, and you will find the fire for God again! Good luck walking int the spirit!
2 Timothy 2:11-13:
"If we have died with him, we will also live with him.
If we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we deny him, he also will deny us.
If we are faithless, he remains faithful-
For he cannot deny himself."
-Evan
