Who I was back when allowed me to be shaped into whom I am today, but I am far different now; THANKS BE TO THE LORD *GOD*, WHO granted HIS GRACE, and MERCY to me with PURPOSE, and REASON, which I may never understand fully, but which I TRUST in, while I do my best to be a semblance of worth according to HIS WILL, despite that I yet, trip, stumble, and otherwise clumsily reach for THE TRUTH of my overall existence; now, and forever!!!
EPHESIANS 4: 17-24...
17+++So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
18+++being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;
19+++and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
20+++But you did not learn Christ in this way,
21+++if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
22+++that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
23+++and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24+++and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
The apostle charged the Ephesians in the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus, that having professed the gospel, they should not be as the unconverted Gentiles, who walked in vain fancies and carnal affections. Do not men, on every side, walk in the vanity of their minds? Must not we then urge the distinction between real and nominal Christians? They were void of all saving knowledge; they sat in darkness, and loved it rather than light. They had a dislike and hatred to a life of holiness, which is not only the way of life God requires and approves, and by which we live to him, but which has some likeness to God himself in his purity, righteousness, truth, and goodness.
The truth of Christ appears in its beauty and power, when it appears as in Jesus. The corrupt nature is called a man; like the human body, it is of divers parts, supporting and strengthening one another. Sinful desires are deceitful lusts; they promise men happiness, but render them more miserable; and bring them to destruction, if not subdued and mortified. These therefore must be put off, as an old garment, a filthy garment; they must be subdued and mortified. But it is not enough to shake off corrupt principles; we must have gracious ones. By the new man, is meant the new nature, the new creature, directed by a new principle, even regenerating grace, enabling a man to lead a new life of righteousness and holiness. This is created, or brought forth by God's almighty power.
15+++Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16+++making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17+++So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Another remedy against sin, is care, or caution, it being impossible else to maintain purity of heart and life. Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when not employed according to his design. If we have lost our time heretofore, we must double our diligence for the future. Of that time which thousands on a dying bed would gladly redeem at the price of the whole world, how little do men think, and to what trifles they daily sacrifice it! People are very apt to complain of bad times; it were well if that stirred them more to redeem time. Be not unwise. Ignorance of our duty, and neglect of our souls, show the greatest folly.
Most BOOKS of THE NEW TESTAMENT alone, have a chapter devoted to the Christian existence; that is, HOW we should exist as we grow, develop, and mature INTO CHRIST JESUS! I am here to tell you that we DO change, and all the more as we OPEN our beings unto HIS WILL; for then, we ARE invoking THE SPIRIT TO FULFILLING it's works in us, and through us!!!
EFFORT IS part, and parcel TO our co-partnership with THE LORD *GOD*; not that our effort saves us, instead that it ALLOWS for our growth, development, and maturity, AS we learn, embrace, and utilize HIS WILL in the time HE HAS GIVEN us to do so! Salvation, Sanctification, Consecration, Transformation EACH ARE A PROCESS which ARE made manifest THROUGH our WILLINGNESS TO BE MADE WHOLE BY our LORD *GOD*! The resistant, or reluctant MIGHT eventually find THE WAY, but the WILLING ARE advantaged straight away!!!
Who I was BEFORE my TRUE acceptance of CHRIST DID resist TRUTH BECAUSE the world taught me in DEFIANCE of THE LORD, and HIS WILL, but NOW that I KNOW THE LORD, HIS WILL, and HIS WAYS, it makes PERFECT SENSE to me; it APPEALS to my entire being, thus SEES me made different! It IS odd, even strange in due process, yet the more I learn, it becomes more reasonable, and just FEELS exactly right! The enemies of this realm, of this time, thrashed me about like a rag doll, and I NEVER felt comfortable in this existence, and no wonder, it WAS NOT my REALITY, or TRUTH! I FOUGHT against the factions of this Earth with all I had, NOT even knowing fully why, except that it did NOT appeal to me at all, and so, WHEN *GOD* took me to my knees, I BEGAN to experience that which DOES feel right, making it all the easier FOR me to leave the world behind, and to take my place in the ranks of the righteous, though I have yet SO far to go!!!
GALATIANS 5: 13...
For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.
The gospel is a doctrine according to godliness, 1Ti 6:3, and is so far from giving the least countenance to sin, that it lays us under the strongest obligation to avoid and subdue it. The apostle urges that all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. If Christians, who should help one another, and rejoice one another, quarrel, what can be expected but that the God of love should deny his grace, that the Spirit of love should depart, and the evil spirit, who seeks their destruction, should prevail? Happy would it be, if Christians, instead of biting and devouring one another on account of different opinions, would set themselves against sin in themselves, and in the places where they live.
1 PETER 2: 16...
Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
A Christian conversation must be honest; which it cannot be, if there is not a just and careful discharge of all relative duties: the apostle here treats of these distinctly. Regard to those duties is the will of God, consequently, the Christian's duty, and the way to silence the base slanders of ignorant and foolish men. Christians must endeavour, in all relations, to behave aright, that they do not make their liberty a cloak or covering for any wickedness, or for the neglect of duty; but they must remember that they are servants of God.
GALATIANS 6: 7-8...
7+++Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.
8+++The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.…
Many excuse themselves from the work of religion, though they may make a show, and profess it. They may impose upon others, yet they deceive themselves if they think to impose upon God, who knows their hearts as well as actions; and as he cannot be deceived, so he will not be mocked. Our present time is seed time; in the other world we shall reap as we sow now. As there are two sorts of sowing, one to the flesh, and the other to the Spirit, so will the reckoning be hereafter. Those who live a carnal, sensual life, must expect no other fruit from such a course than misery and ruin. But those who, under the guidance and influences of the Holy Spirit, live a life of faith in Christ, and abound in Christian graces, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. We are all very apt to tire in duty, particularly in doing good. This we should carefully watch and guard against. Only to perseverance in well-doing is the reward promised. Here is an exhortation to all to do good in their places. We should take care to do good in our life-time, and make this the business of our lives. Especially when fresh occasions offer, and as far as our power reaches.
There you go; the TRUTH of our Christian existence in this world: *GOD* sees, hears, and knows every single facet, and aspect of our entire being, and BELIEVE it, there will NOT be more of the same in THE KINGDOM, and certainly not those who imagined themselves so worthy they need not adhere TO THE LORD, and HIS WILL!!!
MANY more references are found TO our being changed BY THE LORD, THROUGH our WILLINGNESS to comply in conduct according TO HIS WILL, and WAYS, and TIE TOGETHER TO KEEP us ON THE PATH, AND INSPIRED TO KEEPING ON, no matter what arises to negate our part IN HIS WILL!!!
EPHESIANS 5: 10 (ROMANS 12: 2; COLOSSIANS 1: 10)...
---and find out what pleases the Lord.
Filthy lusts must be rooted out. These sins must be dreaded and detested. Here are not only cautions against gross acts of sin, but against what some may make light of. But these things are so far from being profitable. that they pollute and poison the hearers. Our cheerfulness should show itself as becomes Christians, in what may tend to God's glory. A covetous man makes a god of his money; places that hope, confidence, and delight, in worldly good, which should be in God only. Those who allow themselves, either in the lusts of the flesh or the love of the world, belong not to the kingdom of grace, nor shall they come to the kingdom of glory. When the vilest transgressors repent and believe the gospel, they become children of obedience, from whom God's wrath is turned away. Dare we make light of that which brings down the wrath of God?
Sinners, like men in the dark, are going they know not whither, and doing they know not what. But the grace of God wrought a mighty change in the souls of many. Walk as children of light, as having knowledge and holiness. These works of darkness are unfruitful, whatever profit they may boast; for they end in the destruction of the impenitent sinner. There are many ways of abetting, or taking part in the sins of others; by commendation, counsel, consent, or concealment. And if we share with others in their sins, we must expect to share in their plagues. If we do not reprove the sins of others, we have fellowship with them. A good man will be ashamed to speak of what many wicked men are not ashamed to do. We must have not only a sight and a knowledge that sin is sin, and in some measure shameful, but see it as a breach of God's holy law. After the example of prophets and apostles, we should call on those asleep and dead in sin, to awake and arise, that Christ may give them light.
Let us BE Children of LIGHT; let us PRAY FOR ALL HE WILL GRANT us, and others, to MAKE it through the valley; let us PRAISE HIM ALWAYS; let us WORSHIP HIS HOLINESS; let us REJOICE THAT HE LOVES us enough TO bring us INTO TRUTH; and let us be THANKFUL FOR ALL HE IS, and DOES!!!
LWINSOR © 2016
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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