Devotions with Pastor Michael

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Rom. 8:5-6)

Have you ever found yourself looking for full-time benefits from a part-time investment? For example, can you work out just once a year and still be physically fit? What if you told your spouse that you loved them only on your anniversary? Would they believe you? Probably not. We want to be physically fit, but not change our diet or exercise.

Sometimes we drift into this same kind of thinking in our walk with Christ. We want the blessing of an abiding relationship with Christ, but don’t really want to “live according to the Spirit.” We want the benefits of Christ’s power, but only if we can keep some of our selfish desires.

But Scripture is pretty clear: we cannot be a double-minded Christian and expect to grow in our faith. The convenient path of a cultural Christian will not lead to a life governed by the Spirit.

How do you know if you’re a cultural Christian? You might say, “I occasionally go to church. I try to be a good person—you know, not over the top like those weirdos who take religion too seriously. I give a little money. I believe in God and all that stuff.”

Believing in God doesn’t mean you live by the Spirit. If you’re always trying to fit in, attempting to blend in, not wanting to stand out because of your faith, then it is probably time to re-evaluate your commitment.

Today, I encourage you to have a full-time, single-minded faith—a mind set on what the Spirit desires. Be all-in for the living God and let the Spirit govern your mind.

-Pastor Michael