Many Christians will tell people who are frustrated or unsure of what to do next:
"Take the first step!"
While more people in the Body of Christ are awakening to the reality of God's grace and goodness, lavish and unending through His Son Jesus Christ, the Pharisee spirit will rise up and scold people:
"You have to take the first step!"
For example, regarding the Israelites, when they crossed the Red Sea, "They had to take the first step!"
About the Israelites when they entered the Promised Land, led by Moses' successor Joshua, "They had to take the first step!"
Of course, there is the prodigal son, who also "had to take the first step!"
These legalistic prescriptions put the emphasis on what we must do, instead of leading us to focus on what Jesus Christ has done for us, which in turn draws us to receive more of Him in our lives.
First, let us look at the account of the Red Sea. While the Israelites were moving out of Egypt, Pharaoh's heart was hardened once again, and he dispatched his forces to capture the Israelites and bring them back to bondage.
The Israelites cried out in fear and unbelief:
"10And when Pharaoh
drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the
Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of
Israel cried out unto the LORD. 11And they said unto
Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to
die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth
out of Egypt? 12Is not this
the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve
the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than
that we should die in the wilderness." (Exodus 14: 10-12)
the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which
he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall
see them again no more for ever. 14The LORD shall fight
for you, and ye shall hold your peace." (Exodus 14: 13-14)