How To Live An Impossible Life

As believers in Christ, we're part of the Body of Christ.  And as part of the Body of Christ we have access to the Holy Spirit, the supernatural, contemporary presence of God.  

In fact, we received the Holy Spirit when we were 'born again,' publicly declaring such reality at our baptism.

God’s gift of the Holy Spirit is rooted in several assumptions, the biggest being: the Christian life is an impossible life, apart from an Almighty God.  And so it’s critical an Almighty God becomes accessible.  And that’s exactly what the Holy Spirit does, offering almighty resources to carry out God’s Kingdom Dream.  

And so in a real way, the Holy Spirit is God’s ‘outfitter.’  Do you know what an outfitter is – it’s a merchant who outfits, who resources hikers or mountain climbers for their next adventure.  And that’s exactly what the Holy Spirit does: the Holy Spirit outfits, resources us for our next adventure with God, for in the words of 2 Peter 1:3, the Holy Spirit, God’s “…divine power [bestows] upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, [providing a full, personal] knowledge of Him -- Who called us…to -- His own glory and excellence…” (2 Peter 1:3, The Amplified Bible).   

In it any wonder Jesus describes the Holy Spirit in John 14:26 as “…the Helper…”  (John 14:26).  For in our quest to be fully immersed, radically faithful to Jesus, the Holy Spirit equips us, helps us.  But we must want such help, access such help, not running ahead of the Spirit’s resource, but aligning ourselves with its power and its supply!

George Patton was a great general, but an egotistical general; often full of himself.  Restricted to England prior to D Day, Patton was set loose after D Day to pursue the Germans across the France.  And pursue, Patton did, driving the 3^rd Army in ‘Blitzkrieg style’ breaking all records in terms of miles advanced by an army per day.  But there was one problem -- Patton didn’t align himself with his supply line of fuel and food -- his outfitters -- often running ahead of his outfitters.   I mean the disconnect became so bad between Patton and his supply line at one point – that the 3^rd Army was forced to steal fuel and supplies from other units – almost running out, crashing and burning – losing the battle.  Why?  Because Patton became too eager – too confidant – too self-sufficient – forgetting:  it’s impossible to win the war without external fuel and supply.

So too for us:  it’s impossible to win the war without external fuel and supply.  I mean the battle of life cannot be resolved and conquered if we become too eager, confidant, egotistical.  For it’s only as we align ourselves with our supply line, our outfitter – the one true God, accessible through the Holy Spirit – that we successfully advance.

Successfully advance!  Receive “…the gift of the Holy Spirit… [for]…the promise [of the Spirit] is for [all of us] …for all whom the Lord our God will call…”  (Acts 2:38-39).

For God desires to help us live 'an impossible life,' which is possible -- but only -- through God's resources and God's supply.