This is an area of understanding that creates confusion in most of us, because we are brought up in the world, and are sure that this IS about us! Our egocentric being does NOT like facing the facts, especially one so blatant, as denial of the self!!
We are most backwards in our growth, it seems! We are brought up in worldly ways, ideals, and conditions, then, we discover along the way, that the world is NOT our reality, and utter despair ensues, as we try to figure out WHY we were raised in opposition to THE TRUTH, and HOW we can find the strength, courage, and desire to step away from those, oh so comfortable chains that have been ours for such a long time...
GALATIANS 2:20, GALATIANS 5: 16 & 24, ROMANS 6: 6, and many more verses speak of the FACT that when we are one with CHRIST, we have crucified the flesh, and the very nature of the flesh, such as passion, desire, lust, greed, and so forth, AND have stepped into the spirit, the TRUE being, which BELONGS to *GOD*, and exists FOR *GOD* in every way!!!
It is scary to discover that we have been, and/or, are SO far removed from our reality, YET, THE LORD IS WITH us, and PROVIDES for those who seek HIM, HIS WILL, HIS WAYS! That we AWAKEN is paramount, and invokes HIS MIGHT, indeed! That we REALIZE is as opening to HIM, and HIS LOVING PROVISIONS! That we SEEK to know more is as gliding into the express lane of the road to righteousness...
There are 200 BIBLE verses concerning humility, over 75 about being humble, over 40 about self-denial, and to do so, IS following after CHRIST JESUS, our LORD, and SAVIOUR, whom, though *GOD* HE IS, as Man emptied HIMSELF, and became humbled, obedient, and eager to SERVE!!!
Now those who belong to Christ (Jesus) have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.
If it be our care to act under the guidance and power of the blessed Spirit, though we may not be freed from the stirrings and oppositions of the corrupt nature which remains in us, it shall not have dominion over us.
Believers are engaged in a conflict, in which they earnestly desire that grace may obtain full and speedy victory. And those who desire thus to give themselves up to be led by the Holy Spirit, are not under the law as a covenant of works, nor exposed to its awful curse. Their hatred of sin, and desires after holiness, show that they have a part in the salvation of the gospel.
The fruits of the Spirit, or of the renewed nature, which we are to do, are named. And as the apostle had chiefly named works of the flesh, not only hurtful to men themselves, but tending to make them so to one another, so here he chiefly notices the fruits of the Spirit, which tend to make Christians agreeable one to another, as well as to make them happy.
The fruits of the Spirit plainly show, that such are led by the Spirit. By describing the works of the flesh and fruits of the Spirit, we are told what to avoid and oppose, and what we are to cherish and cultivate; and this is the sincere care and endeavour of all real Christians.
Sin does not now reign in their mortal bodies, so that they obey it, Ro 6:12, for they seek to destroy it.
Christ never will own those who yield themselves up to be the servants of sin.
And it is not enough that we cease to do evil, but we must learn to do well. Our conversation will always be answerable to the principle which guides and governs us, Ro 8:5. We must set ourselves in earnest to mortify the deeds of the body, and to walk in newness of life. Not being desirous of vain-glory, or unduly wishing for the esteem and applause of men, not provoking or envying one another, but seeking to bring forth more abundantly those good fruits, which are, through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God.
You see, before we humble ourselves, and realize that this is all about *GOD*, we are led about by pride, a most detestable state, according to *GOD*, for pride opens up to a multitude of errs, the principle one placing the self, the carnal being, first over all else, seeking glory, seeking all pleasure for the being, while negating the TRUTH of GLORY, THE LORD *GOD*! And so, HE COMMANDS us to HUMBLE ourselves before HIM, which initially, is confounding, yet, in the near, and long run, ADDS to us, exceedingly, as those who do so, find favour with HIM, and thus, BLESSINGS of all sorts, result...
Being HUMBLED before THE MOST HIGH *GOD* LEADS US PAST, and BEYOND what has the power to shackle us, torture us, and finish us! What we most desire in the flesh, is deadly, and that is NOT what *GOD* has in store for us; it IS what evil works diligently for...
When we are chained to the flesh, what we desire is our lot! If we seek to be wasted on drugs, ecstatic through immoral physical acts, abounding with wealth, and materialism, our FOCUS is on things, NOT *GOD*, and so, HE says, this will be our lot! Think about this, because it makes perfect sense...
You may not believe it, but, I found out, personally, that ALL we long for, is ruled by the mind; in other words, let's say those who are hot to trot, and say they CAN'T resist their urges, are ALLOWING their mind to lead them: the same is true with ALL passions, and desires! WE HAVE CONTROL over these matters! Once we begin to TAKE control, they diminish, believe it!!!
Our passions, and desires are USEFUL IN REGARDS TO THE LORD, and FULFILLMENT of HIS WILL, in which case, they are ALIGNED, BENEVOLENT, and with LASTING results!!!
Yes, we are born into confusion, but THANKS BE TO *GOD*, THE LORD, CHRIST JESUS, and THE HOLY SPIRIT, we CAN, and if we so desire, WILL ARISE ABOVE this confusion, and step into the standards of the ROYAL INHERITANCE before us!!!
ALL GLORY BE TO *GOD*; BLESS HIM, PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME, WORSHIP HIM, REJOICE IN HIS LOVE for us, and IN HIS PRESENCE in our lives! BE THANKFUL, EXALT HIM, and HONOUR HIM with HUMILITY, DOING, and BEING GOOD!!!
REV. LWINSOR © 2013
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
1 comment:
The 'me' I thought I knew, was NOT the 'me' CREATED by *GOD*, and so, it is exciting to meet the REAL 'me', void of regret of seeing whom I 'thought' was 'me', go, because that whom I thought was 'me', was what the world, presumptuously, and cunningly made of 'me', in which case, the projected 'me', was falsely representing the REAL 'me', Child of THE MOST HIGH *GOD*!!!
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