Don’t Make Your Walk with God Difficult
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:21
Do you think God has made it difficult for us to walk with him? The verse from Matthew 11 tells us that he is gentle and through him we will find rest for our souls. Jesus’ words are true, but can we obey God’s commands and become the person He created us to be, and maintain rest for our souls?
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. (Romans 7: 15-17) Here, Paul expresses just how difficult it is to obey the laws of God. Why do you think it is so difficult? The commandments of God are a reflection of his character. By contrast, if we are of a worldly character, then how can we reflect a Godly character? We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. (Romans 7:14) Paul is saying that people who don’t walk with God are unspiritual and slaves to sin, incapable of reflecting the character of God. If they try they will become frustrated because it goes against their worldly nature. Many new Christians attempt to walk with the Lord while still possessing their worldly character. Consequently, they end up frustrated thinking a walk with the Lord is too difficult for them.
So how can we obey the commands and find rest for our souls? God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:3-4) When we accept Christ as our Savior, we receive the indwelling Holy Spirit, and we begin living according to the Spirit. When we start living by the Spirit, God starts molding us to the mind of Christ. But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:17) God is molding us to conform us to the likeness of his Son. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:29) Those who accept Christ are predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.
Now, if God is renewing our minds to the likeness of his Son, and we are developing the character of God, then how much easier will it be to obey God’s law? All the laws of God become natural because they now represent our character, as well as God’s character.
The most difficult time of our walk is early on when our minds are just beginning to be renewed and our old sinful habits remain with us. This is why scripture says; Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1) We are not condemned when we fall short because we are in the process of being changed, becoming more Christ-like. This process continues until our last day.
God helps us through this time of difficulty by placing us in a loving, Church family for support, encouragement, and guidance. We become more Christ-like in our behaviors when we are with our Christian family, enabling our minds to renew faster. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2) In order for our minds to renew, we stop thinking about our sinful pasts and start thinking about the things of God. Our church family helps us in doing this. The mind rewires with our new thoughts while undoing whatever we stop thinking about. This takes time and requires us to control our thoughts.
Today, walk with the Lord with rest in your soul. Slow down inside and walk with love, peace, and joy in serving the Lord. Encourage and uplift others and you, likewise, will be encouraged and uplifted.
Let’s Pray: Lord, keep me from struggling in serving you, and help me to walk with peace and joy as you guide me step by step in the Spirit. Help me to slow down inside and allow my soul to rest in your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.