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Slaves to Sin
ned:
<To quote from Andy>
...As simple as these verses appear, I still am struggling with understanding exactally how this is done....
<end quote>
Luk 9:23 Then Jesus said to all the people: If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me.
and
Mat 10:38 And unless you are willing to take up your cross and come with me, you are not fit to be my disciples.
We are to forget about ourselves. This entails a lot.
Someone buds in front of me in a busy store. Smile and let them in.
Someone yells at me and embarrases me in front of my family and friends. Bite your tongue.
Your boss treats you unfairly. Do your job to the best of your ability and aim to please your boss's wishes, even if unfair.
Your kids are fighting, driving you up the wall, and you're ready to jump off the nearest bridge (this happened to me before ;) ). With patience and love, discipline them.
These are but a few things that fight against us on a daily basis. (I'm sure others can come up with an even "better" list, but I'm sure you get my drift.
Eph 6:12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. When we realize this and counter-act the way Jesus wants us to, we deny ourselves, and start to grow for Him.
To deny ourselves, we must forget about our fleshly desires, our wants, our selfishness. It is not about what we want, it is about what Jesus wants for us.
This brings us joy.
J - Jesus
O - others
Y - you.
Jesus always first.
To do this, we need to ask God's help DAILY. It becomes easier as Jesus works in us daily to do His will.
My prayer for the forum is we would all work for this, we all face the same challenges each day, let's pray for God's help in this, and really make a difference for Him.
Typing this has helped me. I hope it helps you.
With love in meekness,
Marie
orion77:
Walking in the Spirit, is not anything we do of ourselves. It is only by following Christ in Faith. Here might be something you have not heard of before, but faith is not in knowing that Jesus is the Christ. Even the demons know He is the Christ. Even orthodox christianity knows He is the Christ. Here is what faith is:
(Rom 4:17 LITV) according as it has been written, "I have appointed you a father of many nations;" before God, whom he believed, the One making the dead live, and calling the things that are not as if they were. Gen. 17:5
Did you catch those words? 'Calling the things that are not as if they were'. It is not in things seen and done, but by walking in the faith of Christ, even though we can't see, and even though we still sin, we believe in calling things that are not as if they were. This becomes much easier when we take the yoke of Christ, it is much lighter than the yoke of the law.
We must enter the Lords sabbath, where He rested from His works, so must we. It is not what we do, it is all of God. He shall and deserves all the glory.
Hope this can be of help.
God bless,
Gary
joyful1:
Gary...these words that you just wrote...very comforting! I'm thinking...this is the way I felt about God way back when I was a kid climbing trees in the back yard to get away from my pesky brother...
I'd hide out in the trees and listen to the wind and hear God in a sort of way that I didn't have time for most of my adult life....its good to be in a place where I can relax and let go and "let God"...speak to me again...and I can listen to Him....in simple faith...in love!
Thanks Gary...for your post! :)
ned:
Hi Gary,
I definitely agree with you that God is the (only) one who "wakes us from our sleep", that passes us from "death to life" and He chooses things which are not, to bring to nothing things that are.
Is not faith that doesn't do anything dead? (James 2:26)
We cannot obtain faith on our own, it is a gift from God, lest we should boast. But once we have faith, there is nothing expected or required of us? I know we start to change because the Holy Spirit in us makes us change, but we consciously don't do anything?
Mat 5:16
(CEV) Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.
I have the feeling in my heart that I need to please God. I am feeling like I should be doing something about it. Yes it's Him in me, no doubt....because I certainly (in times past) didn't always want to please Him, He is changing me..
Please don't give up on me, I value your input Gary (and others) and I just want to learn.
Thanks,
Marie
Deborah-Leigh:
Yes Gary...
...and to add to what is faith.....Gal 2 : 20....I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith OF the Son of God....
That OF...to me is entirely awesome! ;D
Arcturus :)
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