While the whole of this Earth is filled with sin, and sinners; while NONE, NOT ONE is exempt from err, the TRUE Christian renounces the sins they CAN control, and works to resist all sin which comes their way...
BUT some Christians wear their sin like a banner, having decided that by GRACE they CAN sin purposely, and at any rate they wish to...
I know people who will scream loudly as they defend their right to sin. People who insist it is alright to cheat on their Spouse, to take drugs, drink excessively, to chase after whatever they want or need, in order to satiate the flesh! They are existing IN the pride which separates Mankind from *GOD*, yet, because they have been PARTIALLY taught of CHRIST dying for our sins, they imagine they are correct! These are the most difficult people to reach, for they are STUBBORN in their belief, and in their desires...
No doubt, they THINK it is cool that they can act however they wish, and remain heirs to THE KINGDOM! They think they are HONOURING *GOD* with their FAITH, void of works, for they believe themselves to be free from condemnation, NO MATTER what they do against HIM, HIS WILL, and HIS GIFT! They DON'T understand the depths, breadth, or heights of LOVE, obviously, because those who LOVE *GOD* have left behind the old person for a new, improved one, and have PUT ON the robe of righteousness, NOT for display, instead it is EVIDENCE of HIM in one! They are weak in their desires, and needs, which PROVES the flesh OVER the spirit, thus, LOVE has NOT taken root! When one LOVES as they should, whom they LOVE takes precedence over the self, and there is a new need to please whom they LOVE! LOVE KEEPS ONE FAITHFUL to the one they LOVE, ENTIRELY, not in mere thought, or words, instead, in TRUTH, SPIRIT, and ACTION!!!
A COVENANT is a TWO-SIDED agreement, AND commitment; it's fulfillment relies on BOTH sides! THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY HAS fulfilled HIS side, and HAS shown us how to fulfill ours, which of course, we cannot do alone, but in which we DO have choices to make, either adhering to the hows, or negating them! Why WOULD it be one-sided???
For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,
The enemies of the cross of Christ mind nothing but their sensual appetites. Sin is the sinner's shame, especially when gloried in. The way of those who mind earthly things, may seem pleasant, but death and hell are at the end of it. If we choose their way, we shall share their end.
The life of a Christian is in heaven, where his Head and his home are, and where he hopes to be shortly; he sets his affections upon things above; and where his heart is, there will his conversation be. There is glory kept for the bodies of the saints, in which they will appear at the resurrection. Then the body will be made glorious; not only raised again to life, but raised to great advantage. Observe the power by which this change will be wrought. May we be always prepared for the coming of our Judge; looking to have our vile bodies changed by his Almighty power, and applying to him daily to new-create our souls unto holiness; to deliver us from our enemies, and to employ our bodies and souls as instruments of righteousness in his service.
COLOSSIANS 3: 1-17...
1+++Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2+++Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
3+++For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4+++When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5+++Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
6+++For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,
7+++and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.
8+++But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
9+++Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,
10+++and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—
11+++a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
12+++So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
13+++bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
14+++Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
15+++Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
16+++Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17+++Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Those that are born again are dead to sin, because its dominion is broken, its power gradually subdued by the operation of grace, and it shall at length be extinguished by the perfection of glory. To be dead, then, means this, that those who have the Holy Spirit, mortifying within them the lusts of the flesh, are able to despise earthly things, and to desire those that are heavenly.
Christ is, at present, one whom we have not seen; but our comfort is, that our life is safe with him. The streams of this living water flow into the soul by the influences of the Holy Spirit, through faith. Christ lives in the believer by his Spirit, and the believer lives to him in all he does. At the second coming of Christ, there will be a general assembling of all the redeemed; and those whose life is now hid with Christ, shall then appear with him in his glory. Do we look for such happiness, and should we not set our affections upon that world, and live above this?
It is our duty to mortify our members which incline to the things of the world. Mortify them, kill them, suppress them, as weeds or vermin which spread and destroy all about them. Continual opposition must be made to all corrupt workings, and no provision made for carnal indulgences. Occasions of sin must be avoided: the lusts of the flesh, and the love of the world; and covetousness, which is idolatry; love of present good, and of outward enjoyments. It is necessary to mortify sins, because if we do not kill them, they will kill us. The gospel changes the higher as well as the lower powers of the soul, and supports the rule of right reason and conscience, over appetite and passion. There is now no difference from country, or conditions and circumstances of life. It is the duty of every one to be holy, because Christ is a Christian's All, his only Lord and Saviour, and all his hope and happiness.
We must not only do no hurt to any, but do what good we can to all. Those who are the elect of God, holy and beloved, ought to be lowly and compassionate towards all. While in this world, where there is so much corruption in our hearts, quarrels will sometimes arise. But it is our duty to forgive one another, imitating the forgiveness through which we are saved. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts; it is of his working in all who are his. Thanksgiving to God, helps to make us agreeable to all men.
The gospel is the word of Christ. Many have the word, but it dwells in them poorly; it has no power over them. The soul prospers, when we are full of the Scriptures and of the grace of Christ. But when we sing psalms, we must be affected with what we sing. Whatever we are employed about, let us do every thing in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in believing dependence on him. Those who do all in Christ's name, will never want matter of thanksgiving to God, even the Father.
There will be no more of the same found in THE KINGDOM; all who did not turn to HIM will be cast aside, just as they cast HIM aside! There ARE PRINCIPLES to exist by which CO-PARTNER with the process of SANCTIFICATION, CONSECRATION, and SALVATION! While GRACE IS FREE to all who, with their HEART accept it, there IS change, improvement, and growth involved...
A great deal of our ONENESS with CHRIST JESUS exists in SELF-CONTROL; in CHOOSING to BE THE NEW SELF HE speaks of, and which is OBVIOUS when we have TRULY stepped into HIM! Listen, my life began in shambles, I was on my own, out in the depraved world, from a very young age, and learned the ways of the world! Survival depended on many things, and LOVE was non-existent, despite my continued search for it, and knowing somehow, that *GOD* was in the mix! I was put through hell before THE LORD took me to my knees, and SHOWED me HIS LOVE, and THE WAY! While it is all VERY different than what I once knew, it is NOT too difficult for me to become ONE with, and I am SO much happier from the depths of my soul, partly because HE spared me, and partly because HE taught me, and partly because I now UNDERSTAND sin, and how it works against HIM, and us! I am EVER indebted to HIM for LOVING me enough to spare me, and LEAD me out of the pit! If I was able to conform in conduct to HIS WILL, anyone can!!!
More than a few are very active in the Church, and act the part, until Sunday is over, and they are back in the life, when they feel they have done their part, and then, cave into their flesh, and it's desires! DOES this make any sense???
There are verses of instruction in every Chapter of THE NEW TESTAMENT depicting THE WAY a Christian OUGHT to exist in, all of which reiterate the same message; WHEN we come INTO CHRIST, we have died to ourselves, and have found LIFE IN HIM, and HIS WILL, which IS HOLY, and to which we ARE to align, for we are TO BE A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD evermore! No longer is it about the self, and what we want, instead, LOVE FOR HIM LEADS us into the spirit, which IS our TRUE self, and which BELONGS to HIM, unless we, in our free will, throw it to the winds of time on this planet ruled by HIS enemy!!!
We have IMPORTANT, and IMPERATIVE ROLES in HIS PLAN; we are to carry HIM forward, to INSPIRE, and REACH those who otherwise, might not notice HIM! We are to REFLECT HIM, to bring SALT to the table, to ENCOURAGE, and oh so much more, none of which can be done IF we are existing contrary to HIM!!!
It is NOT that we can do this alone, and it is NOT for show, instead it is a matter of CHOICE to ALLOW HIS WILL, and SPIRIT to REGENERATE us, and to PERFECT us, DESPITE the world, and it's negative influences! We TAKE our PARTNERSHIP TO HEART, and MELD WITH HIM, THAT we are SAFE, and EVER ARISING TO OUR TRUTH! We CANNOT be OPEN TO HIM, HIS WILL, and HIS WORKS in us, IF we are only receiving when we are not busy satiating the flesh! It DOESN'T work that way! And yes, there ARE provisions for those who are very lost in their addictions, but most of us CAN HONOUR our ALLEGIANCE to HIM, and GROW past ourselves FOR HIS GLORY, which IS for our sake!!!
REV. LWINSOR © 2015
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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