In control, not controlling
If you’ve ever been in the position of having someone looking over your shoulder, watching everything you do and correcting or critiquing every move you make, you know what it’s like to be micromanaged. This might be fine if you’re learning a job or task, but when the training is finished, most of us like to be left to use our training and figure out problems on our own. But some bosses and non-bosses can’t give up control and continue to micromanage.
Many have the notion that God is like this. They think since he’s in control he’s also controlling. He is the Sovereign Lord of everything, but he definitely doesn’t micromanage us. Some verses in the Bible, such as Romans 8:9 (NLT), tell us we are controlled by the Spirit if we have the Spirit living in us. Most translations don’t use this word, but rather talk about the Spirit dwelling in us, leading, guiding or directing.
The Phillips translation is interesting: ‘But you are not carnal but spiritual if the Spirit of God finds a home within you. You cannot, indeed, be a Christian at all unless you have something of his Spirit in you. Now if Christ does live within you his presence means that your sinful nature is dead, but your spirit becomes alive because of the righteousness he brings with him. I said that our nature is “dead” in the presence of Christ, and so it is, because of its sin. Nevertheless once the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives within you he will, by that same Spirit, bring to your whole being new strength and vitality. (Romans 8:9-11).
I know for a fact God’s Spirit doesn’t control me – if he did, I would be perfect! I also know the Spirit of God has found a home in me and as a result, my spirit is alive because of Christ’s righteousness. As I live in him and he lives in me, my whole being is full of new strength and the incredible vitality of our triune God.
Study by Tammy Tkach
First published on 31 May 2022, at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com
About the writer:
Tammy Tkach is the Assistant Pastor of the Eugene, Oregon, USA congregation, and is the wife of former Grace Communion International President, Joseph Tkach. She is a speaker and writer, and publishes a blog at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com
Local congregation:
You are welcome to attend one of our local church congregations located throughout the UK and Ireland. For details of your nearest local congregation, check on our website, www.gracecom.org.uk under the ‘Churches’ tab, or ring +44 (0)1858 437099.
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church