I realize that this has moved from the title of the thread, but I'd like to share these thoughts after reading the last few exchanges between Brothers in Christ.
I think we need to remember that this is a process of change.
Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14
I hate to make this analogy, but it works for me and I pray it will work for you as well.
Smoking is an addiction. First people need to identify the reason to stop. Second a person needs the motivation/desire to stop doing it. Next, they attempt to put in place things that will help them in do so and on it goes till you stop. For some it can take just that first day and they'll never smoke again. They are broken of this either due to a strong will or supernatural intervention. Sometimes, neither is there, and for some it's like a sputtering engine. Coughs until it finally catches. This may take a while, but with the Grace of God (Supernatural Intervention) strengthening their will. Guess what? Eventually they stop!
Pretty much think of the above of what I wrote and think of "SIN" and it works pretty much that way as well. Think of one first being drawn by God! We become aware of our sinful nature and because we Love God we want to stop. So begins the growing process. The process of change! The Law allows us to identify sin, but it is by the renewing of our minds, the process begins the changing of the habits we had inside of us which allowed sin to permeate our lives, but now no longer to be governed by them.
All this begins with at the starting point with all of us which is "The Grace of God" (Eternal, Free, Sovereign). Without which none would be or could be Saved, much less have sin to be expunged from our lives.
That being said. Our focus needs to be in identifying where we are on the path we are walking. Is it blindly, hoping that change will happen or actively seeking help and being proactive in this change. The Law is righteous as Paul said, but it is not the be all or end all in our walk. To stop there is like knowing that smoking is bad for us, but doing nothing about stopping. Have the chains to our previous life be broken and have we been Born Again?
The Law is in our face now. Saying it's not there or we're not to be held bondage by it won't change a thing/renew anything in us. The road is difficult, but He will help us. Just maybe not the way you might think. More like a parent.
For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Hebrews 12:10-13
If we need additional motivation besides loving God to get on the road to stop from sinning. So, that we don't keep sinning or become unconcerned about sin in our lives as it continues to fester.........how about considering the effectiveness in what we were created for, much less as an example to others, which just might be part of our "good works"? Think we can fool anyone, much less the Adversary who will seize every opportunity to make us less effective a tool for our God to us?
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
My Note: Been there done that. Don't like it. Gnaws at me repeatedly. Get behind me Satan! In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!
Please just don't make this about being Saved, or losing ones Salvation. It's not, because if it were, it would not be about God's Grace anymore would it? Plus, we'd all be Catholics
Apologies if this offends anyone. :-(
With the Love of Christ Jesus brothers! Do love you all.
YBIC
Nick
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