Seeking The Power of Anothers Throne

    
    
    Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4 (NKJV)
    
    There is a song that was called, Ive got the power, by a group called Snap, that was very popular back in the mid 90s. It had a catchy tune, and the lyrics used in the title of the song still resonate. There is a great truth that we, as Christians, should meditate upon when we think about those lyrics that were sung, because they apply to each and every one of us.
    
    As Christians, we have been given the power of God to make our decisions and follow through on the commitment that we have made once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Unfortunately, we often dont know this, or appropriate its truth in our Christian walk.
    
    When we were unsaved we were made up of two-parts; our body, and our soul. During this relationship, our body reigned supreme. This means that we lived our life attempting to feed the body everything that it wanted, craved, or needed. This made up a majority of what we thought about. Listening to the body was natural, and sometimes it created the temptation to do and say things that were not in line with what God wanted for us.
    
    Once we were saved, we were given a third component to our body makeup; this component is called the Spirit. Although we had it, you can say that it was dead because of the sin in our life that we were born with. So now upon the acceptance of Christ, we become spiritually born again, and it is like the old self was crucified with Christ up on that cross of Calvary. 
    
    Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. Romans 6:6 (NKJV)
    
    So our old nature is declared to be dead, and we are raised to walk in newness of life. 
    
    Our new nature is of God, because it is in union with Gods Spirit. Therefore my thoughts are on God, and the things of God. 
    
    As a result of this, my new nature now seeks to know God, and it wants to worship and praise God, because it is now my desire to please Him. It knows that there is a whole new way of living and it attempts to listen to the counselor that was given to each of us, which is the Holy Spirit who also now lives within us. My thoughts are now of Gods love for me, His grace upon my life, on His kingdom, and how I will play a role in my new life in sharing the message of salvation with others. 
    
    Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. Ephesians 5:1 (NKJV)
    
    The problem with this is that our old self doesnt want to give up the power that it once had. And it is constantly attempting to seek the throne that it once ruled from. We need to understand that our old nature used to have dominion, but that power over us has been broken. It can no longer control your actions, but it will continue to attempt to get you to choose choices that will feed your flesh; choices that were once the norm.
    
    It is your choice as to whether you listen to that old person, or whether you simply reckon that old person to be dead. Bring the thought that you are tempted with, captive. And then decide whether it glorifies God, or feeds the flesh. If it glorifies God, then go for it; act upon it. But if it is in contrast with what God would want, or what you know to be right, then discard those thoughts and replace them with something else that is good. Know that youve been given the power to make this stand, and then exercise it.
    
    Your body wont want to be ruled, it never will, but that is your responsibility. What kind of King would simply sit back and let the people do as they please? And if he did, what kind of society would it be? Well, it is the same way with your body. If you allow your body to rule supreme, and in opposition to the Holy Spirits leading within you; if you do what it desires; if you feed it what it lusts for, then you will find that it will continue to rule your life, and it will lead to spiritual ruin.
    
    You need not fear this fight between spirit and flesh, but know that you have been given a new mind, and the power to execute what you know to be right. 
    
    For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
    
    Hey Christian, you have what it takes to rule your body with the power of God and to lead it in the way that it should go. You are not a victim, and youre not just along for the ride. You have the final say in this fight. Choose wiselyChoose Life!
    
    STUDY QUESTION: What kind of Spirit have we been given according to 2 Timothy 1:7?
    
    PERSONAL INVENTORY: Can you relate to the times where you have allowed your body to make decisions instead of your Spirit?
    
    APPLICATION: Choose to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and then act accordingly. Bringing your body under submission is the first step in taking back the control that you were given as a Christian.