Let Jesus Win!
1. The Holy Spirit of God - Who is the Spirit of Christ - is always at work in us both to will and to do according to God's good pleasure. This Holy Spirit within us never gets tired. He never slumbers or sleeps, or just lets us go off on our own. He is always there to comfort, to guide, to instruct, and to correct. If we get in trouble, it is because we did not listen to Him. He will not be quiet, unless we tell Him to shut up! He is God, and He cares for us. And because He cares, He is always at work!
2. One day I came across a verse that said, If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25
There really is no more basic instruction for Christians. Nothing could be more practical for living the Christian life than letting the Spirit of God take control!
3. In the New Testament the little word "let" means "make sure you allow the Holy Spirit to have His way." Don't grieve Him. Don't fight against Him. Stop resisting Him.
4. One day I started making a list of all the verses in the New Testament that begin with the word "let." Before long I was amazed at just how many verses there are! Here is a short list:
Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 4:26
Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 5:9
Let us do good to all. Galatians 5:10
Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor. Ephesians 4:25
Let not the sun go down on your wrath. Ephesians 4:26
Let him who stole steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Ephesians 4:28
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:29-30
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice (intent to do evil). And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness let it not even be named among you, as becomes saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. Ephesians 5:3-4
Let no one deceive you with empty words. Ephesians 5:6
As the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:24
Let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself. Ephesians 5:33a
And let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:33b
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Philippians 4:6
Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, Colossians 3:15
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16
Let your speech be always with grace. Colossians 4:6
Let all that you do be done with love. I Corinthians 16:14
Let brotherly love continue. Hebrews 13:1
5. The Holy Spirit is the voice of Jesus. I cannot live the life of Christ. It is impossible. The imitation of Christ is the severest form of legalism there is. No one could possibly live up to His example. But God, who is rich in mercy, has given us His Holy Spirit. Jesus gave us His Spirit! His Spirit lives in me. He leads, guides, comforts, protects, heals, instructs, and corrects - if we let Him.
6. WOW! That makes it easy! I do not have to do anything by my own effort. I can pray and ask God to do it through me! I rely on His strength - not mine. That sure takes a load off of me.
7. One little nine year old girl had it right. She was known for her purity, love, and honesty. Someone asked her how she managed to stay that way. "Oh it's easy, " she replied. "When temptation knocks I just send Jesus to the door."
The same thing could be said for all of us throughout every day of our lives. When temptation knocks, send Jesus to the door. When someone in need knocks, send Jesus to the door. When opportunity knocks, send Jesus to the door! When discouragement knocks, send Jesus to the door.