Contending for the Faith.

Any addict will attest to the statement by CS Lewis (I did not fact check, this and take it at face value). 

What ever the addiction is; to get and stay sober shows up your inability to do so. 

That is without Christ and His enablement. And yet as Hebrews reminds us ....In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Hebrews 12:4 NIV....the battle compared in this regard compared to Christ is miniscule, who was tempted on every point and was without sin.

The rewards or crowns that Jesus speaks about are those who overcome.  Which by definition are those who obey through perseverance, in the trial or discomforts and struggles, in the crucible  of fire.

I am aware of the the struggles of my flesh and soul to live according to my own desires and passions. In a sence I want it all, God plus my sinful needs, yet God calls me to make a choice, Him or my Flesh. I chose Jesus, but if in my trying to be sober and failing, what is the alternative?

If I am unable to persue soberness successfully for prolonged periods, then what do I then persue?

The only logical answer is relationship with God my Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit. Along with my brothers in Christ. Now this does not happen automatically (I wish it did) but is intentional hard work, and Gods turning of my heart towards Him. That is my prayer, accompanied by staying focused and diciplined on the practice of meeting God and spiritual disciplines.

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Hebrews 10:39 NIV

There are those who do! and there are those who talk about it.

Which one are YOU?

Are you one that pushes past the discomfort, pain, inconvenience to ensure you stay engaged in what God is doing? 

In what sence you may ask? 

Well possibly attending gatherings of saints when possible? Life Group, Prayer, Church 

Pushing into what God has laid up for you? We tend to focus more on what we can't do, rather on what we can, a sad truth today.

Obedience to the areas where God has challenged or called you to? 

Do we believe God and what he says or the false beliefs we have grown comfortable with. 

Do we find we are in a place of apathy rather than breakthrough. 

Jesus asked the question "Why do you call me Lord, when you don't do as I command?"

These are hard hitting truths and questions that deserve our attention.  I saw a quote on Facebook the other day 

"People swear they are fighting demons, when the when time they are fighting the consequences of their choices" 

This made me think of the truth of the matter, yes there are demons, battles, temptations, addiction and compulsive behaviors, yet too often our poor decisions have led us to them. 

This leads us back to choosing for Jesus, to be known by Him and too know Him. 

I am still trying to figure out how to maintain and sustain this deep level of intimacy with Jesus, and am acutely aware that I am not able to do so in my own strength, and so humbly rely on His strength to help me do so. 

I am so grateful for the faithfulness of God who does not leave me, and in His Grace, truth and Mercy, keeps me in the palm of His hand and presence, even when I am not. 

I am loved and accepted before God in Christ, I am a son, that is who I am, beloved of God, not because I am worthy, but I belong to Christ.




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