For those who have ears to hear: April 10, 2015
2Pe 2:19 NKJV 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.
There is help for those struggling with sin
What has overcome you children? Those who are overcome by their own tendencies of self-pity (depression), self-abuse (sexual sin), self-exaltation (pride) self-deprivation (spiritual sickness) can enjoy a newness of life and stand fast in the way of the Lord. How is that possible you ask? I'm glad you are asking me the question that is on many hearts today. Are you striving to be good and find yourself falling short? Here is the short answer. Carry on steadfast in prayer. Ask me to purify your heart. This is called circumcision of the heart. Ask me to remove all impurities in your soul. Walk after the Spirit. Not after your flesh.
Phl 3:3, 9, 14-15 NKJV - 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, ... 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which [is] from the law, but that which [is] through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; ... 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
My personal thoughts here: The blood cleanses us from sin which means our salvation is assured in Christ because all of our sins are forgiven when we put our faith in Jesus. Yes I think that is the basic foundation of the gospel message as it relates to the sin atoning sacrifice of the Cross. But I hear the father saying there is so much more for us in this life when we press on to maturity. This is what he wants for each of us. Seek him with all your heart. i heard him say, " Walk after me, not ahead of me. Let me lead you in the way to go. Leave all evil behind. Never look back at it again. Remember Lot's wife."
Scriptures for reference:
Phl 3:3 NKJV 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
Struggling with sin - I recommend you read the entire book of Romans, this always helps me. I read it quite often
Rom 8:1, 5-17 NKJV - 1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ... 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those [who live] according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded [is] death, but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ [is] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin, but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors--not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with [Him], that we may also be glorified together.
2Pe 2:19 NKJV 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.
There is help for those struggling with sin
What has overcome you children? Those who are overcome by their own tendencies of self-pity (depression), self-abuse (sexual sin), self-exaltation (pride) self-deprivation (spiritual sickness) can enjoy a newness of life and stand fast in the way of the Lord. How is that possible you ask? I'm glad you are asking me the question that is on many hearts today. Are you striving to be good and find yourself falling short? Here is the short answer. Carry on steadfast in prayer. Ask me to purify your heart. This is called circumcision of the heart. Ask me to remove all impurities in your soul. Walk after the Spirit. Not after your flesh.
Phl 3:3, 9, 14-15 NKJV - 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, ... 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which [is] from the law, but that which [is] through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; ... 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
My personal thoughts here: The blood cleanses us from sin which means our salvation is assured in Christ because all of our sins are forgiven when we put our faith in Jesus. Yes I think that is the basic foundation of the gospel message as it relates to the sin atoning sacrifice of the Cross. But I hear the father saying there is so much more for us in this life when we press on to maturity. This is what he wants for each of us. Seek him with all your heart. i heard him say, " Walk after me, not ahead of me. Let me lead you in the way to go. Leave all evil behind. Never look back at it again. Remember Lot's wife."
Scriptures for reference:
Phl 3:3 NKJV 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
Struggling with sin - I recommend you read the entire book of Romans, this always helps me. I read it quite often
Rom 8:1, 5-17 NKJV - 1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ... 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those [who live] according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded [is] death, but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ [is] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin, but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors--not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with [Him], that we may also be glorified together.