Positional Thinking

From different areas of our life we are bombarded by messages which can at times alter our perception of our true identity. In the book of Joshua we find a nation hand picked by God struggling with issues that affect us all. Can God be trusted? Am I really accepted by Him? Does He really mean all those things He promises in the Bible? Are those promises just for the people in the Bible or are they for me as well?
The nation of Israel was given a promise and then God told them exactly what it would take to secure that promise.

6 "Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
7 "Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.

Joshua 1

Then Paul reinforces this same promise in his letter to the people at Rome.

14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"

16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8

In short don't let the circumstances dictate your actions from those bad messages we receive from all around us. 

Positional thinking isn't positive thinking (although this process does have some merit). When we realize who God says we are, then act accordingly, we are embracing His promise and His blessings already prepared. We are not making anything happen, it has already happened in Jesus Christ. We merely reach out and possess that which God has already granted. Then we begin to live like free people, unafraid of what people may think, unworried about saying the wrong thing because we are pleasing to God because we are in Jesus Christ. And the last time I checked, Jesus Christ was absolutely pleasing to God!

It is only when we "turn from it to the right or to the left," which means do things our way that we run aground. I call this a spiritual shipwreck. It's like taking a perfectly good boat and rather than stay in a clearly marked channel where it's safe, we decide to short cut in shallow water.

The law to which many people naturally default (because that's all we usually hear and the law is written on our hearts) can't be our guide either. Yes these were holy precepts given by God to guide His people, but these laws pointed to a coming savior. 

23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.

24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.

25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3

So the need for the law still applies for His people in order to remind us to treat one another with love, but also for those who need to know Jesus Christ. Don't let the law take the place of His Spirit.

Positional thinking merely embraces a truth already stated by God and a promise already given by God. The only question is: Do we believe? Is Jesus enough? What part of me rebels in such a way as to take control and "turn to the left or right"? The answer isn't trying harder. It is asking God to show you how to embrace His promises. 

"God show me my place in your Kingdom".