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A MUST READ-- or Sermon opener

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onelovedread:
I don't understand.  Your earlier post to Kat seems incongruous with this last response.
Maybe I need to read it again.

DougE6:
Hi Onelovedread

I hate using myself as an example, talking in the third person is always best. But just for the sake of clarity, here goes...

I DESIRE to have all my sinful habits and longings to DIE
I DESIRE to please God in my thoughts, heart and actions
I DESIRE to to do good works, WHICH IS the VERY POINT OF BEING HIS WORKMANSHIP...to do good works that God has ordained that we are to walk in

THESE DESIRES ARE NOT OF MY CARNAL SELF, THEY ARE THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD AND CAUSED BY HIM.

Do these good works take effort? Of COURSE!!!  Does resisting the flshly pulls of this body take effort!! OF COURSE!! Why else should we put on the full armor of God?  We put on the full armor of God because we are being called to do BATTLE. tHIS life is serious business. Attaining the First resurrection is a VERY HIGH honor and the goal of our faith.  Even though God is doing the work, do not think your blood sweat and tears not are required. They are. Your full participation, your full heart and effort is required.

If one thinks that the Sovereignity of God means that we don't have to do our best, that we can just exercise our every carnal impulse until God changes us, that we do not have to DO good works...well, I likewise do not understand that line of thinking at all.  As i get closer to God I become more aware of my sinfulness, my DESIRE to resist sin and my HATRED of it grows. I am completely AWARE that this life changing power in me is not of myself. It is POWERFUL, it is LIFE changing, IT CAUSES ME to weep at my sinfulness, it causes me to want to do good, to help others, to do and fulfill the good works that Jesus intends to do through me.

If I did not feel this change, if I was not convicted of my sinfulness, if I was content to not press on, I would believe I am NOT called to be part of the kingdom of God. I would be very very crushed. I want to be different! I want to love righteousness even MORE than I do now. I want to be pure in heart and mind and action, and I know all of this is impossible in my own strength, but with GOD, ALL THINGS are possible.

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