If you haven't done so yet, read "Desire". We must have the desire, but unfortunately, desire alone is not enough. We can all think of times where we desired something but never took the step to make it happen. So that leads us to intentionality (not the same as good intentions).
Putting to death sin in our lives and growing as a follower of Jesus Christ requires intentionality. We can’t just think it, desire it, want it, etc. We must take action. The greatest example of this is Jesus Christ, Himself. In Luke 9:51, it says that “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”
Jesus didn’t accidentally wind up in Jerusalem. He knew exactly what lay in front of Him. He understood that He would suffer greatly. He understood that He would be humiliated. He understood that He would be abandoned. He understood that the pain would be unbearable. He didn’t simply take His time for the Father’s will to take place; He intentionally set His face and walked step by step toward Jerusalem.
Though we all struggle with slightly different issues, each one requires an identical action – an intentional first step! And a journey is made up of many steps. In I Peter 5:9, we are told strongly to “resist him, standing firm in the faith” (speaking of the devil). In Colossians 3:5, Paul instructs us to “put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature.” These strong words require intentional action (a first step).
Along with a first step, intentionality often includes pre-meditated action. In other words, we determine in advance how we will respond when temptation hits.
Finally, intentionality is about training, not trying. I Corinthians 9:25 says, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” What is the “it” that we do? We train! If you have the desire to run a marathon, you must start with the intentional action of training. 1 mile. 3 miles. 10 miles. The same is true for living a life that honors and glorifies God. Trying is haphazard. Training is intentional.
And one final point. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we do any of this. So pray for the desire, and then pray for the power of the Spirit to take a step. “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit’ says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6
Posted on
Mon, October 12, 2009
by Jonathan Goeke