Who is in Control?

Remember the popular bumper sticker a few years back that said, "God is my co-pilot"? Think about that statement. If you truly believe that then it means God is not in control of your car, someone else is, and that someone is you.

One of the definitions of the word control is "the power to rule".

So who is really in control of your life?

Society tells us that we should take control of our life. And let's be honest, we love being in control. We think that our way is best so we have to give our opinion to anyone who will listen. Having some sort of control in our life isn't necessarily bad, but the attitude or motive behind it can be.

Colossians tells us these are some of the things lurking in us: lust, anger, selfishness, greed, pride, disobedience, gossip, envy, breaking your promises, dirty language, rage, idolatry, drunkenness, jealousy and impurity. Paul tells us that when we are in control these are the things that come out of us. They are lurking in us and as long as we have control over our lives they are going to keep coming back because we are ALL sinners!

But I hear over and over, "well I don't do that", "that isn't that bad" or "everyone does it". My favorite is "I'm a good person, especially compared to..." But Paul tells us in Romans 3 that no one is good! We are NOT the standard...God is...and when we compare ourselves to Him everyone will fall short.

We have filled our lives full of these heavy burdens, these sins. Jesus offers us freedom from these burdens but we have become comfortable with them. We are afraid to let go of our habits because anger may be the only way we know how to deal with things. Gossip makes us feel like a part of the crowd. Lust makes us feel wanted. Money makes us feel powerful. Pride makes us feel like we are somebody. But in Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus says He wants to take this burden from us. It is hard to let go of these habits in my life, which is silly because they are destructive not only to me but to others around me. But as I turn them over to Jesus He gives me: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control, Galatians 5:22-23.

Only He can do this. If you are not going to the cross, to Jesus Himself, you are only putting a band-aid over a wound. We need to remember that we are NOT God, we are NOT in control! If you claim to be a Christian you have nailed these sins to the cross. If we are going to be the body of Christ this crap has to go! You must give up control. You will know if you have control or if God does by what is coming out of you.

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives." Galatians 5:24-25

Be blessed,
Steve