Ancient Words For Today - 71
The process of spiritual development and becoming a mature Christian is supernatural, the result of God's work in our lives. This process includes growing in our knowledge of God through studying His Book (the Bible that is) and discussing the spiritual insights and values we are learning with other believers. It also involves listening to spirit-filled preachers teach the word of God, the work of the Holy Spirit who indwells believers, fellowship with the Lord in prayer, and experiencing His hand in our lives day by day. As we draw near to the Lord, desire to keep His commandments, and seek to do His will, God guides us and empowers us to know our calling and accomplish His plan for our life. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
But there are also those occasions when believers temporarily lose their spiritual vision, drift from their God-given purpose, become weak, off-track, and separated from fellowship with God because of unrepented or unconfessed sins. In fact, there is a paradox - the more we learn about the moral perfection and goodness of God and the way He wants us to live, the clearer we begin to see, in contrast, how far short we fall and how incapable we are of performing to His high standards. The Apostle Paul, a mature believer focusing on accomplishing God's calling to spread the Gospel, explained his own shortcomings in a way that we can all relate to:
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:14-25
Thanks be to God and our Lord Jesus Christ for their love and grace that has been given to us. For if we sin, failing to keep God's commandments, when we recognize and repent of our sins and ask His forgiveness, we have God's promise that He will forgive us:
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:4-9
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1John 1:5-10
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1John 2:1-2
Dear Heavenly Father, we agree with the psalmist's prayer, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Help us, dear Lord, to put away any unclean thoughts, evil imaginations and wrong desires. Help us to recognize and forsake our sins, to have a pure heart and a right spirit before You. Thank you Jesus for loving me, for dying in my place, and for Your amazing grace. Amen.