Need the Key to Go

During cold weather we have recently been experiencing, it is really nice to have an automatic starter on my vehicle. From the warmth of my home, work, even the grocery store I can push a button and the car will turn on. When the engine starts, any accessories that have been left on will also resume. The heater (hopefully left on the defroster mode) and radio will come to life. The doors will remain locked or unlocked as I have left them. By the time I reach my vehicle, the windows are clear and the inside temperature is comfortable. I open the doors to an invitingly warm atmosphere, greeted by praise music. All of this comes from one button on my key chain.

What cannot be done from this one button is engage the transmission to put the vehicle in gear. This antitheft feature requires that the actual key to the vehicle must be inserted and turned to the start position. Once the key in in position a simple tap of the brake will transfer the engine control and the car is ready to go wherever I steer it. Any engagement of the brake to attempt to put the car in gear prior to the key’s insertion will kill the engine.

We can set up many great religious disciplines in our lives. Fellowship with other believers; personal study and prayer times; and adhering to a godly code of behavior are all wonderful practices. Setting these in place are like pushing the auto start on the vehicles of our lives. They make us ready to be used by God and fulfill His plan. We are to follow the teaching and habits that we have learned. “Hold fast and follow the pattern of wholesome and sound teaching which you have heard from me, in [all] the faith and love which are [for us] in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13 AMP) But good habits alone are not enough.

In order to walk in the will of God we need the Holy Spirit's guidance. The Holy Spirit is the key that is necessary to put the vehicles of our lives in gear. Without hearing from Him, we should not attempt to move in any direction. “And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left.”  (Isaiah 30:21 AMP)

Jesus began his public ministry by the direction of the Holy Spirit. Immediately after His baptism, “Then Jesus, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit” (Luke 4:1 AMP) After this fast and temptation the scripture says, “Then Jesus went back full of and under the power of the [Holy] Spirit into Galilee, and the fame of Him spread through the whole region round about.” (Luke 4:14 AMP) He continues His entire ministry on earth in the same manner. “How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and,[a]in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38 AMP)

Finishing His time on earth Jesus directed His followers to also wait for the Holy Spirit. “And behold, I will send forth upon you what My Father has promised; but remain in the city [Jerusalem] until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49 AMP) The Apostle Paul also encourages us in the same lifestyle. “But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).” (Galatians 5:16 AMP) The guidance of the Holy Spirit will give us all we need for a God honoring life “For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [[a]full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).” (2 Peter 1:3 AMP) He will lead us in the direction that God intends for us to walk when we listen and obey.

I have forgotten to put the key into the ignition. When I stepped on the break to shift into drive, the engine stopped. I have also put the key into the ignition but not turned it. The result is the same. When we attempt to move forward without the Holy Spirit, we will also lose all power. So we warm up our lives with all the good habits of a disciplined lifestyle. But we must wait for the key of the Holy Spirit’s voice and obey His leading to move in the direction our lives should go.

So lead your life in a Godly manner and always wait for the power of the Holy Spirit.