GET OUT OF GOD'S WAY

God's blueprint for redeeming mankind was revealed in this oft-quoted passage ...

For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  John 3:16-17

When it came time, Jesus told the disciples that He must suffer, die, and rise again in order to complete His mission. He was to be the sacrificial Lamb of God ...

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Matthew 16:21

An anxious Peter rejected Christ's words ...

Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, 'Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You'.  Matthew 16:22

Jesus’ response? 

He turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.'  Matthew 16:23

Peter had his own agenda and it blinded him to God’s bigger, better plan. We do the same thing when we make choices outside of His will. Selfish strategies for friendship, marriage, family, education, career path, etc. ... belies our professed faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.

So how do we get out of God’s way so that He can fulfill His will for our lives? 

#1 Trust Him
His understanding far exceeds that of our own. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out. (Romans 11:33)  We need to trust that what He has revealed in His Word is for our good, even if obedience means suffering physically or emotionally for a time.

#2 Follow Him
Our 'old self' needs to die. Christ made it plain ... Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Matthew 16:24) The temptation to interject a personal agenda in order to achieve your desired outcome is thus negated. 

#3 Abide in Him
Remember ... your life is not your own. You have been united with Christ if indeed you've received Him as Savior. According to scripture, He lives in and through you ... Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) Your 'will' plays no part in that beautifully intimate relationship.

#4 Think like Him
Don't hinder Christ's work by entertaining worldly thoughts. 'Set your mind on the things of God ... not on the things of man'. (Matthew 16:23) Allow your mind to be continually renewed by the Holy Spirit, so you can ... Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5).

Scripture tells us to 'ask, seek, and knock' in order to access our Lord's divine directives. It does not tell us to rely on God and then take back partial control in a vain effort to help Him. 

Get out of His way ...