by Glenice Mills
Perhaps one of the greatest traps we can fall into is where we do something ‘for’ the Lord instead of ‘in’ the Lord. There is a huge difference between the two.
It is good to often consider whether or not we are doing something ‘for’ the Lord.
This is where what we do crosses to ‘works’. Our intentions may be good but the way we go about doing something is the problem. It is so easy to start out doing what the Lord wants, but then we subtly add our interpretation. It is our often-well meaning thinking that ‘we know a better way’, or a short cut, to bring to a conclusion. This is where we cross the fine line.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
So what things make us do something ‘for’ the Lord?
1. Pride – When we think we know better and put our hands to something the Lord never asked us too.
2. Impatience – The truth is some things can take a very long time to come to pass. We may have had a prophetic word speaking into our potential, but time seems to be running out. This is when we try and make something happen in our impatience. This is often at a crucial time when we are on the cusp of breakthrough.
3. Our own competence – Often we are able in and of ourselves to make something happen; however the timing may not yet be quite right. We draw from our own skills to bring something to pass.
4. Deep rooted fears – Fear of missing out, fear of failure, and fear of rejection can set us up to make us do something that it is not yet time to do.
5. Rebellion – I’m going to do it anyway! This is where our attitude is wrong and we have deep issues with the season in God we find ourselves in. This is when we purposefully do something when we know we aren’t meant too, going against what the Holy Spirit has revealed and/or counsel we have received.
6. Religious mindsets – This is the way it has always been done so I will continue to go this way. It is where one is immovable, inflexible to any changes and will hold onto the old way of doing something no matter what. As a result we do something for God but He never endorsed it.
7. Performance based – We have always done things to earn love, approval and acceptance from people so will strive to make something happen in our own strength so we feel secure.
The good news is we don’t have to remain in old ways of doing things. The enemy loves to have the Lord’s people burn out, trying to earn their salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
So what happens when we do something ‘in’ Christ? The results are quite different.
1. Humility – We know we are not able to do something in and of ourselves and are completely reliant on the leading of the Holy Spirit. We make choices from a place of fear of the Lord – not wanting to grieve Him.
2. Maturity – We have learnt what it is to walk in the perfect timing of God Patience has developed as a fruit in our lives.
3. We know without the Lord we can do nothing and we need Him to anoint and enable us to do what we have too. It can only be done in Him.
4. We may have fears, but we know as we run into Him that He is our security, our safe place, and we are loved no matter what.
5. Obedience – We only want to do what the Father tells us and have a deep desire to walk in obedience to the Holy Spirit’s leading. We want to do what ‘s right no matter the personal cost.
‘In’ is a little word, like the word ‘if’. These words come with conditions. They speak of a choice, a right way or a wrong way of doing something.
Galatians 3:26
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Let’s watch that we don’t fall into the trap of doing things FOR CHRIST instead of IN CHRIST.
