Being Like Him - a 40 Day Lenten Devotionalنموونە

Self - Control

I had a meeting with a Police Commissioner recently for a program to be arranged for the police officers. An elderly policeman had also come seeking permission for a long leave to the Commissioner. The Commissioner was barely in his thirties, and the elderly policeman was nearing his retirement. The Commissioner indignantly denied the request for personal leave and even wanted to suspend him for his irregularity at work. The elderly policeman stood helpless and pleaded piteously with the Commissioner.

I thought to myself how age occupies no role when one stands in the corridor of power. To exercise self-control in the presence of power is easy because one has no choice but to be part of the system. But that is unlikely when we stand before an equal or someone with lesser power. However, we see in the attribute of the Trinitarian family their ability to show restraint even when they possess all the power to destroy humans in their wrath. We recognize this so clearly when human beings first sinned against God. He came that evening searching and calling out to His children. The Godhead thoroughly knew the consequences of human sin, and how one of their own would have to pay the price for it. When we know the estimated loss to be incurred because of someone else’s flaw, our tendency to lose control is predictably high. And it is on such occasions that our true self is displayed.

We identify Jesus demonstrating self-control even when he was constantly provoked to show his power and authority. He showed self-control when the devil tempted him with an offer to prevent the cross. Self-control is a part of the fruit of the Spirit given to us. To exercise self-control is extremely tough, and it’s humanly impossible without the grace of Jesus. Jesus, the Word of God, who created everything was in control of every situation of the cross till His death. It is He who gave up His Spirit in His time and no one could take it from Him.

To be like Him in exercising self-control in places where we hold authority is His gift, which is only possible by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in each of us. The fruit will ripen in time and will constantly need nurturing to manifest through us. How much self-control do we exercise in our relationship with those who have less power than us? How much self-control do we have when it comes to our own urges and overpowering temptations? I think we are inadequate to get over some of the shameful things that have established deep roots in us, but we can overcome them by beseeching God to govern our lives. Subsequently, self-control merely becomes God-control! May God help us to have a Jesus-controlled lifestyle by the power of His Spirit.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, by ourselves we are weak. We tend to lose control repeatedly especially with our equals or those lesser in power than us. Holy Spirit of God would you give me “God-control” in such situations? Take over and make me more like you. In Jesus name, Amen.