We NEED to assess ourselves frequently, even daily, to notice the areas which might be hindering our TRUE relationship with THE LORD *GOD*, and to acknowledge, void of excuses, or pride, that we DO indeed, err, and sin, even when we have not meant to! Sin IS a constant battle, and enemy; though under GRACE we ARE equipped for the onslaught---
WHEN we are IN CHRIST JESUS, we HAVE taken off the old being, and put on the new: THIS IS THE WAY; to make NO provisions for the flesh, as the mind is renewed according TO THE WILL OF *GOD*! The BOOK OF ROMANS, and parts of EPHESIANS tell us. POINT BLANK, THE WILL, and WAY! IN CHRIST we ARE NEW beings; therefore it IS within us TO exist accordingly; in righteousness, and HOLINESS, all the days we are on this Earth! Do we understand that FAITHFULNESS IS one with FAITH???
SURE, there WILL be challenges, conflicts, even conflicts of interests, as we are MADE HOLY through SANCTIFICATION, but that we RESIST UNTIL the end, and correct as we journey, IS KEY TO our TRUTH!!!
Sometimes our errs, our sins, our wrongs, our humanness, such as that which comes of egocentricity, ARE what set the stage for the negatives of this world, and through which *GOD* DOES TEACH us in our sufferings! AND for some reason, each generation IMAGINES themselves to be better, to be more pious, to be closer to THE TRUTH than previous ones, PLUS, since CHRIST JESUS' SACRIFICE, people are convinced there is nothing more to be done: such is endangering our very souls! The more we understand, then, ALIGN TO HIS WILL, the greater our ability to overcome, and grow, from what has the potential to deceive us...
Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people and said to them, "Thus God has said, 'Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD and do not prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has also forsaken you.'"
Often both princes and inferior people have been flattered to their ruin. True grace alone will enable a man to bring forth fruit unto the end. Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, being filled with the Spirit of prophecy, stood up, and told the people of their sin. This is the work of ministers, by the word of God, as a lamp and a light, to discover the sin of men, and expound the providences of God.
ROMANS 3: 9-18...
9+++What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;
10+++as it is written,
“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11+++THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
12+++ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”
13+++“THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE,
WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,”
“THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”;
14+++“WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS”;
15+++“THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
16+++DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,
17+++AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.”
18+++“THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.”
Here again is shown that all mankind are under the guilt of sin, as a burden; and under the government and dominion of sin, as enslaved to it, to work wickedness. This is made plain by several passages of Scripture from the Old Testament, which describe the corrupt and depraved state of all men, till grace restrain or change them. Great as our advantages are, these texts describe multitudes who call themselves Christians. Their principles and conduct prove that there is no fear of God before their eyes. And where no fear of God is, no good is to be looked for.
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