Trading Places, Part One by Chris Holm

Father, if You are willing, remove this cup [of divine wrath] from Me; yet not my will, but [always] Yours be done. (Luke 22:42)

Would it be possible to find a better definition of obedience-in-motion than this scripture?

Prayer of Consecration

Jesus’ prayer of consecration is one of the most quoted texts in the bible, “Not my will, but Thine be done.” Many a well-meaning religious leader urged us to pray this same prayer when asking God for favors, “Please heal me.” “Please help me.” “Please remove this thorn in the flesh.” And then told to follow up our petition by praying this sanctimonious prayer: “Not my will, but thine be done;” which quickly nullified our request. We may as well have been chanting, “Twinkle, twinkle, little star.” We’d have gotten equal results minus the feelings of abandonment or betrayal often accompanied by thoughts like these: “I guess I don’t deserve it.” “God is punishing me.” “He’s trying to teach me something through this trial or temptation.”

But was Jesus ever confused? Did he ever deny sustenance to those oppressed in mind or body? So, what makes you so special? Doesn’t the bible say God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33)?

Yes, like Jesus, we should consecrate ourselves to God daily. The apostle Paul in Romans 12:1 writes, Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

But let’s not stop reading there. Verse 1 is the hard part. The benefit of obeying verse 1 is clearly outlined in verse 2: Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. In other words, you won’t be confused anymore.

But how do we get from verse 1 to verse 2? Glad you asked: ONLY OBEY.

Two Minds, One Body

The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)

For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. (Romans 8:3)

God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

God does all the heavy lifting. His grace (ability) works in lieu of our human effort. Any attempt to accomplish his will for your life via your own effort will only sabotage God’s grace. (Galatians 2:21) This is where faith comes in.

The ABCs of Faith

A.    Faith cooperates with God. For without faith, it is impossible to please God … (Hebrews 11:6)

B.    Faith doesn’t consider your circumstances. For we walk by faith, not by sight … (2 Corinthians 5:7)

C.    Faith needs your cooperation. Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone. (James 2:17)

Tug of War

“Not My will, but Yours be done.” Could we agree that there are two opposing forces at work here? Galatians 5:17 tells us there is. For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.

Think of your flesh as one giant crybaby. It won’t stop wailing until it gets what it wants. Have you ever met any people like that? They have addictive personalities. Sin is an addictive personality. It won’t quit until you satisfy it.

Can the same be said of Righteousness? Galatians 5:17 thinks so, “and the Spirit (craves) what is contrary to the flesh.”  Yes. Righteousness is an addictive personality. It wants what God wants!

I submit that it was Jesus’ righteous nature that was speaking in the garden when he said, “Not My will, but Yours…” 

Did you know righteousness has a voice? It speaks! “But the righteousness that is of faith says,…” (Romans 10: 6-8) Would it be too farfetched to think that Jesus’ righteousness was letting out a small yelp of protest at the thought of being replaced by its nemesis, Sin?

Mind Games

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4)

We don’t fight sin with a carnal (fleshly) mentality. That’s religion. That’s for losers. You’re not a sinner saved by grace. You’re the righteousness of God in Him. Stop offending God when he has made it abundantly clear that your old nature was crucified with Jesus, died with Jesus, and was buried with him. It no longer exists. (Galatians 2:20) (Romans 6:14) Take up your rightful position in Christ, put on the whole armor of God and stand your ground. (Ephesians 6:11)

Two Systems

Jesus played his role to perfection. He committed himself to God and came out victorious. Do we have a role to play in God’s great plan of salvation? Absolutely: ONLY BELIEVE.

You might be asking, “How do I do that?” Good question: ONLY SPEAK.

You’ll find the instructions to activating your faith in 2 Corinthians 14:13, We have the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak. Faith is voice-activated!

The world’s method says, “I think, therefore, I am.” There’s an element of speaking involved here as well, but it limits you to the sum of your thoughts. Your thoughts, if spoken, produce corresponding feelings. You’re stuck in a rut with no way out.

But God has provided a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13). He’s provided grace (which replaces the Law) and faith (which replaces feelings). Only God could come up with a method that could circumvent the world’s system!