But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26 ESV)
Have you ever thought about why you do the things you do? From the way you react to conflict to the way you put your toilet paper on the roller in the bathroom, why do you do what you do? Most often as adults, we do things a certain way because it is the way we’ve learned to. These behaviors are learned over a period of time and across thousands of repetitions. Often our choices are subconscious, and we don’t even think about them.
It’s time to be honest again, just because “it’s the way we’ve always done it”, does it mean that it’s the best way? Does that mean it’s the right way? Does that mean it’s God’s way? As followers of Jesus, the Scripture reminds us that we are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). That means that in Christ we don’t have to do things the way we always have because we have become new and the old is gone! What’s the point? It’s time for you to unlearn some behaviors and to start doing some things a new way, God’s way.
In John 14:6 Jesus makes a foundational truth claim you need to read, understand, and embrace:
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus is “the way” to God and I believe the example we should imitate with our whole lives (1 Corinthians 11:1). How should we react to something? How should we engage with our neighbors? What is right and what is wrong? I believe that if we seek to live our lives the way that Jesus lived His, to be like Him, we are heading deeper into the lives we are called to.
I’ve asked the question like this before: if you were the only Bible someone ever reads, will they see Christ in you? Will your life testify to the grace and truth of Christ? Take a few moments and seriously consider this question. Does your life point others to Christ?
I’ve got good news for you; you don’t have to do this alone. The Holy Spirit, the One whom the Scripture calls our helper and comforter, it is He that will teach you and bring you into remembrance of all that Jesus said. Question: when the Holy Spirit brings you into remembrance of the things Jesus said, what are you going to do with that? Have you ever heard the classic by Carrie Underwood: “Jesus, Take the Wheel?” For some of us, Jesus doesn’t have the wheel and He isn’t even in the passenger seat. We’ve stuffed Him into the trunk and only bring Him out on special occasions.
Today I challenge you to humbly and intentionally examine your life, the things you do, and the things you don’t, and ask yourself: is this God’s way? Pray and ask God to reveal to you the changes He is calling you to make, then seek His strength to make them.
Father, thank You for the incredible mind You’ve created in me. So often Lord I don’t think about the miracle of the human mind! Thank You for the truth that in Christ I am a new creation. Jesus, help me live my life like You. Give me strength and courage to examine my life honestly and humbly. Help me make changes in areas that don’t point others to You. Thank You Holy Spirit that you teach me and remind me of the words of Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
