July 11, 2023

1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

As a servant of God, carrying out the obligations and routines of service is only natural. But that is precisely the most dangerous thing. Because it is very different from the desire of God’s heart that wants us to carry out the functions and duties of service because we love Him. Maintaining a heart that loves God is the first and foremost thing that we must pay attention to.

Mark 12:29-30 (NKJV) Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.

So far, when we guard our hearts so that we still love God, we do it in many ways that make us struggle to do it. In fact, not a few who experienced fatigue and eventually withdrew from the ministry. Because they started guarding the heart that loves God with their own strength and humane and religious efforts.

Whereas the best thing to protect a ‘heart that loves God’ is to love God Himself. In short, if indeed we have LOVE for God, then LOVE is very active and aggressive which keeps us attached to Him. Our part is to continue to follow what is the URGE OF LOVE. This is what is called OBEDIENCE.

John 14:21 (NKJV) He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

I found, when we continue to follow the ‘urge of love for God’, then our spirits will always be burning

Romans 12:11 (NKJV) not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NKJV) Do not quench the Spirit.

When we continue to follow the promptings of the Spirit or divine activity, we are actually one with love itself which is aggressive and not passive. Spiritual passivity will only keep us down, while our aggressiveness in participating in divine activities will make us continue to grow in a spiritual position. The time will come when we unite with Him and reign over this earth, and walk in Kingdom power. Only by speaking, the power of the kingdom will be manifested.

The question is, what is the concrete form of divine activity or following the promptings of the Spirit? Usually what the Holy Spirit does is not far away, starting from making us fonder of contemplating the Word, praying and worshiping. It even makes us more sensitive in understanding or following the voice of a pure conscience.

Those are all fundamental encouragements that if we follow or obey, then we will grow from faith to faith, from glory to glory. Our part is ONLY OBEY.

Ps. Steven Augustinus

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