No Effort Is Necessary

Romans 8:1  [paraphrased] There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus [the “I Am” presence] has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh [the egoic mind] but according to the Spirit [the mind of Christ].

In a recent post it was observed that the difference between these two “walks” cannot be put into words that the egoic mind can understand.  In some ways (it was said) it’s like riding a bicycle.  You just keep trying until, at some point, you realize that no effort is necessary.  The following verse was used to illustrate that sense of effortlessness:

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Perhaps it is worth pointing out, however, that the effortlessness that is needed is that of one who stays on the bicycle– not the one who parks it in the garage and becomes  a couch potato.  But how to stay on the bicycle without trying?  A few things to note:

• It doesn’t mean no energy will be expended, but that it will be expended  in faith, hope, and love (not in fear, guilt, and/or despair).
  

  • Note:  Hope is tricky–this does not mean a desperate desire (or pretense) or wishful thinking about the future, but a confidence in the face of that which is unknown (in the ordinary sense of the word).
    

• Rest in the Lord, indeed, but do not fall asleep at the wheel (aware presence or alert stillness is what is called for).
• In lucid awareness, trust in and rely on the Lord– the Divine presence “I Am” –unconditionally (surrendering all to Him and accepting all from Him as the gift of  God).
• Take up your cross… (the cross of Christ is our cross).

If this seems cryptic or obscure, consider the alternatives:  1) you can continue to play tug of war with the flesh (a la Romans 7), 2) you can park the bicycle and become a couch potato (cf. Luke 9:62), or 3) forgetting those things that are behind, you can

“…press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14, NKJV).

And that upward call is to be found, here and now, in the Divine presence “I Am”.

–>  Trust in the Lord with all your Heart