Friday, May 20, 2016

Confession Is Not Revelation, It Is Agreement

My Utmost For His Highest
 
By your patience possess your souls. —Luke 21:19
 
“… many of us prefer to stay at the entrance to the Christian life, instead of going on to create and build our soul in accordance with the new life God has placed within us. We fail because we are ignorant of the way God has made us, and we blame things on the devil that are actually the result of our own undisciplined natures. […] There are certain things in life that we need not pray about— […] The Christian life is one of spiritual courage and determination lived out in our flesh.”  CHAMBERS
 
I have known people, and perhaps I am one myself, who are looking for reasons why they are not responsible for what happens in their lives.  We want to feel good about ourselves.  That we had no part in the problem we are facing.  Certainly it is because we want people to think well of us, but I think largely it is because we want to think well of ourselves. What does it mean to be a sinner?  What does it mean to fall short of the glory of God? (Romans 3:23)  I mean what does that look like in the living out, day to day?  How much do we play a part in that sin?  If God calls us to live in a different way than our sinful nature demands then there must be an alternative.  And there is.  It begins with us accepting the fact of our sin nature.  We are prone to wander.  Our sinful nature is not just about what we do and what we say, it is much deeper than that.  It permeates every nook and cranny of our being. To our innermost thoughts.  Many of us, perhaps most of us, over time are able to control the outside so we have the appearance of righteousness, even when on the inside, our thought life, is raging.  Jesus addressed this when He spoke of the hate and lust.  (Matthew 5:21-22,27-28) “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. […] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
 
Don’t be surprised or dismayed when you struggle with your sin nature.  You cannot control it any more after you become a Christian than you could before.  But God can by the power of His Spirit and His Word.   What you can do is choose to that which you will submit.  Will you submit to your sin or to the Spirit.  That is where the courage and determination comes in.  Don’t let your feelings of guilt keep you from the Father. Sin craves the darkness.  The Spirit brings light. Sin brings separation.  The Spirit brings unity and restoration. Recognize the struggle.  Praise God that there is no longer condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), but we live in these “jars of clay” and in a fallen world.  There is a song that was written by Dale Evans, the wife of Roy Rogers, that I remember from when I was a young boy – way before I was Christian, “Have faith, hope and charity.  That’s the way to live successfully.  How do I know?  The Bible tells me so.  Don’t worry about tomorrow, just be real good today.  The Lord is right beside you.  He’ll lead you all the way.”  Funny what you remember.  My point. God cleans us up from the inside out.  Prayer, the Word, and fellowship are key to living the Christian life.  Make it a point to focus on spiritual things during the day or you will be quickly consumed by your old nature. That is a certainty.  Day to day victory over sin does not just happen. And when you do sin, and you will, don’t try to hide it – confess it (1 John 1:9).  Confession is not a revelation to God, it is agreement with God.  People may not know what you are thinking … what is in your heart, but God does.  He knew what you were like and still sent His Son to restore you. CHARLEY

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