Proverbs speaks of certain practices that can confirm the soul/person/life in righteousness. These are things we are to do, no less and it matters not whether we feel like it. In fact we need to especially guard this truth and practice when we don't feel like it. Of course there's immediate forgiveness when we do falter. But we also need to practice immediately getting back on track of this confined path.
This can be a hard struggle. For some it is the avoidance of pornography, for others the avoidance of an affair, or of an addiction or whatever the besetting sin that we may be facing. For many it may be something seemingly less, but just as debilitating to one's walk in seeking to follow Christ, a big one being bitterness and unforgiveness. We must hang in through the struggle and keep working on it, even in the midst of all our weaknesses and failures along the way. We must not give up. Better to die in this struggle than to live in the sin.
As we keep working through this in Jesus and in fellowship with others in Jesus (for one can be in complete fellowship with Jesus only by being in complete fellowship with all members of his Body, I believe; we have a long way to go) we begin to experience the freedom Jesus talks to us about.
This freedom becomes surprising in many ways. One begins even now to experience the truth that what one gives up for the sake of Christ they get back and even more. And of course the vices that are only destructive of ourselves and others we don't want back. We want to hold others in Christ as God sees them, and in a relationship of love, grace and truth. And from that comes the joy and blessing of God, as he delights over us his children.
What would you add to this thought, or would like to say?
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6 comments:
"Better to die in this struggle than to live in the sin."
Man. If that is not the most influential statement I have read in a really long time. I am having to dwell on this for a while. Man. Deep. Wow. Powerful.
I am reminded of Hebrews 12.4, 'In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.' Or, as the NLT renders it, 'After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.'
How often do I fail in this! God, have mercy on me a sinner!
Thank you so much Ted for your heart and obedience. May our God and Father make his face to shine upon you and grant you his peace.
+ OD
I like the Proverbs beginning... "turn your ear..." I guess that what we "hear" about any given thing influences us. Just as what Adam and Eve heard from the serpent influenced them, so long ago.
OD, Yes, and we have to hold our feet to the fire in this. Only then in God can we come out as pure as gold as Job said.
Thanks brother.
L.L., Much wisdom I'm sure in what you say. Very provocative and deep, I think. Because we don't know how much we're being bombarded with false messages like you mention here. Serpent-like in nature.
We have to learn to better discern that and resist such lies with the Spirit helping us apply God's truth. Like Jesus, I guess, in the wilderness.
Thanks, L.L.
This is a kairotic, prophetic word for me Ted. Thanks. & please pray for me: discernment and strength.
KM, I received the same and was just trying to pass this along in this post. Praise the Lord.
And yes, I am praying now and will do so as I remember.
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