Have you ever tried to quit something. If your like most people today, we all have tried. Tried quitting smoking? Tried to lose weight? I think "tried" is the key word. Have you ever tried to give up things of this world for God, but couldn't? Feel guilty? Read this:
"For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard."
Romans 3:23
We all have sinned. Over and over again. When does it stop? Some people say it stops at the cross of Jesus. Which it does. What if it goes farther than that? What if you have accepted Jesus as your savior and yet you continue to sin? You'd think we would realize that it is time to seek God and turn from our wicked ways, right? Not all the time. If we have done something for a very long time, the body gets accustom, whether your heart follows Jesus or not. Your body thinks that it needs the world. Our bodies are so in tune with feelings and emotions. I hate it.
"Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!." Matthew 26:41
I'll be the first to admit this one! Our bodies are so weak. It is full of the deepest gloom. It can lock you into a prison. Many times we try to hide from God. The Holy Spirit reminds me that God sees all.
"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me." Psalm 139:1
He knows all. He sees our lustful hearts. He watches as we think impure thoughts. In a way its comforting to know he knows are intentions. In other ways it is not. He is Holy. We are His Holy people. Yet, he watches us fall into the mud pit of our deceitful selves. I feel shameful. We all have been distracted. There is good news though. Yep, bad news is over. I'm going to write twice as much good news. What is it? Check this out:
"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1
I bet you started sweating right? I bet Paul did to. He wrote this scripture just after the chapter when he talks about his own struggle with sin:
"Oh, what a miserable man I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 7:24
Even the most talked about apostle had these problems. Why? Wasn't he one of God's chosen people? Yes, but so are we. Why? I'm so glad you asked! We are human and created after God's own image. We are His children if we confess Jesus Christ with our mouth. He cares for all of us! Then why do we keep falling? Simple. We love this world more than we love Him. Heavy, isn't it? There is hope. We can change but we must give all to him. We must die daily.
"If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23
We must die to ourselves. Take up Grace. Follow Jesus. Simple. Hard. Narrow. Rough.
"Therefore since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress." Hebrews 12:1
Throw it off. Cut it off. Jesus said this in Matthew:
"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away." Matthew 5:30
Cut off the world and turn to Him. Its the only way. Its taken me a long time to understand this. Please study these scriptures. Spend time in the word and through off anything that is not of Jesus.
"Jesus began to preach, "Turn from your sins and turn to God, because the kingdom of God is near." Matthew 4:17
If you have any questions or need any help please contact me.
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