The Power of THE Unbalanced Force

Matthew 6:13

Matthew 6

 Newton's first Law of Motion reads like this:

 “An object at rest will remain at rest unless acted on by an unbalanced force. An object in motion continues in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.”

 According to teachertech.rice.edu, “This means that there is a natural tendency of objects to keep on doing what they're doing. All objects resist changes in their state of motion. In the absence of an unbalanced force, an object in motion will maintain this state of motion.”         

 Newton’s three Laws of Motion are the foundation of classical physics. I hated physics! It just didn’t make any sense to me. Apparently though, the main goal of physics is to understand how the universe behaves. Now that interests me, because we as humans are a part of the universe.

If you apply Newton’s first Law of Motion to people it might read like this:

Every person has their own beliefs, attitudes and habits which will remain the

same unless acted on by an unbalanced force. The result is that our human nature resists change.

Like Newton’s physical laws, there are spiritual laws at work in our world, and in our hearts.

 ²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:21-25 NIV

Because of this battle with us, it is critical for us to pray in the way that Jesus taught his followers including, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Or from the Good News Translation: “Do not bring us to hard testing, but keep us safe from the Evil One.”

In other words, “Lord, please be that unbalanced force that redirects my life; that engages me where I am at; that leads me through trials and temptations; that delivers me from evil; that protects me from myself and from the evil of the world; that changes me into the person you created me to be.”

 But, if you pray this prayer, be ready for THE unbalanced force.

The Story of Two Wolves

Galatians 5:16-26

A grandfather is talking with his grandson and he says there are two wolves inside of us which are always at war with each other. One of them is a good wolf which represents things like kindness, bravery, and love. The other is a bad wolf, which represents things like greed, hatred and fear.

The grandson stops and thinks about it for a second then he looks up at his grandfather and says, “Grandfather, which one wins?” The grandfather quietly replies, "The one you feed”.

  

The source of this story has been attributed to the Cherokee Indians, as well as Billy Graham and George Bernard Shaw. Though no one knows for sure where it originated, an argument could be made that Paul inspired it.      

17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. NLT

 You don’t have to be an addict to have firsthand experience of this inner battle. Think about it the next time another driver cuts you off in traffic; or the contractor you hired doesn’t show up to do the work you paid for; or your insurance company seems more interested in saving money than paying for a claim. The list is endless.

 Speaking of lists, Paul made two of them in this passage. One is what our flesh desires, and the other what God’s Spirit desires. How do we go about winning the battle? What can we do to feed the good wolf?

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. NLT

 This is not a onetime big decision, but a lifetime of small decisions that move us forward into the light of following the Spirit and not backwards into the darkness of our flesh.

 Which wolf will you feed? What fruit will you grow? Will you live by the Spirit?