Monday after Sunday

I was marvelling at church yesterday while in Sunday School at how focused I have been on introducing non-Believers or 'waining' Believers to the Gospel, yet the focus of the Sunday School group is to grow in their relationship with Christ. It was evident that there was a huge difference in the point of view. There is very little doubt expressed in the class. It is accepted that the Lord is real and that the life of a Believer is all about maintaining a focus on Him and His Word as well as the acceptance that His will is pre-eminent and we are to trust Him and encourage others in their times of need.

As folks were sharing about the struggle to maintain hope, I was reminded of my own battles. The defense in those battles has been getting into the Word more regularly, confessing sinfulness and practicing greater obedience. This has cleared my 'conscience' and allowed me to see my weaknesses, yet grasp onto the Lord's strength.... witnessing His presence and my sense of peace following this transition. As I shared this, I felt a bit of a prideful twinge as I was listening to this wonderful group of Christian folks down here in Kingsland, GA. I caught myself 'preaching' and quickly remembered how much of a failure and how often I've been a failure at this 'faith' game. I just happen to be on a bit of a spiritual high right now, for whatever God's purposes are. I caught myself very quickly and repented and, even, attempted to apologize to a woman who was going through a very trying time in her personal life.

How easy it is to be 'prideful', even in this faith game. In fact, I believe that is part of what Paul alludes to in;

Romans 7:15 "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."

This is what I was speaking of yesterday; The Sinful Nature (Flesh) vs the Spiritual Mind and our ability to grasp onto the nature of God, 2 Peter 1:3 "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

We can participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by OUR evil desires.

"Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Amen