You Can't Live for God

There is a subtle but important distinction between living for God and God living in you. How can you be doing God's will if you never come to Him for your marching orders? How can you obey Him if you never listen to what He tells you to do?

You are not living for God. Let me prove it...

Romans 8:7
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

If it is still you who is living, then you are not living for God. That can only happen when it is no longer you who lives.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

1 Cor 13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

You can do all that religious stuff, but without the Spirit of God, Who is love, it is all in vain. The only way to operate in the Spirit of God is to die to yourself and let Christ live in you. If you are thinking you are living for God because you're doing religious things, you are fooling yourself. As long as it is still *you* who is living, then you are still in the flesh and unable to please God or submit to God.

You need to come to God and submit yourself to Him in prayer. You need to spend time in His presence and drop all your cares and worries at His feet. Trust Him to take all those burdens. Jesus said "take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart." He said "seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." He's promised to supply all your needs and to care for you. "Casting your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Pet 5:7

It is important to actually spend time in His presence. He wants you to commune with Him, and He wants to commune with you. When you soak in His presence, that's when He can untangle your thoughts and quiet your heart and re-charge your Spirit and supply you with your marching orders for the day. Each day has its own set of orders. Only when He has taken your burdens of care and worry can your mind relax and stop energizing the life of the flesh.

Colossians 3:3
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.