Thanks Eileen and Judy,
EileenDon't know if any of these help but you can check them out.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php?topic=5545.0
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php?topic=6442.0[/u
Eileen, the first link you posted was a little more pertinent. The fact that God causes everything reiterated to me that no matter how much I want to be righteous it's all in Gods timing.
Charles, a little confused as to your wrestling with the stony heart vs. the heart of flesh. Our hearts are carnal through and through, judgemental, accusing, you name it.(hard) God's heart is loving, forgiving, merciful.(soft like flesh) Judy
Judy,
I fully accept that I am a bag of sin. I apologize for not being clear, but I just didn't want to break any rules.
Here's my dilemma. First in Romans 7:14-25 Paul states that he is carnal, sold under sin and the actions he desires to perform are the exact opposite of what he actually does. At this point I'm feeling the same way, but I don't know if I'm interpreting this scripture correctly. At this point in my life I can say that spiritually I hate sin and desire to be pleasing to God, but my flesh loves to be appeased.
The reason Ezekiel 36 comes to mind is because God states that he would replace the children of Israel's stony heart with a heart of flesh. And that he would cause them to walk in statues. He also states that He would do it for His sake and not for theirs.
My question is am I to just except and embrace my sinful actions until this spiritual "heart surgery" takes place or am I to try to live a righteous life. I feel that God is working in me, but I continue to sin and I'm not talking about an occasional "mistake". I want to be pleasing to God, but I guess I'm in the same boat as Paul was at the point in time, I just don't know how.
Your responses are appreciated,
Charles
Hey Charles,
I know how you feel, I believe we all do here.
Our struggle with the flesh is a life long process
As Paul says,
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:
but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Col 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Col 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
Col 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Col 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Col 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Charles this change can only happen through the Spirit of God
Some sins you will stop doing immediately others will take time maybe years to overcome.
When you begin hating your deeds(in essence your life)you will see the change after it has already happened!
Joh 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
Joh 12:26
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
2Ti 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Hope this helps
Antaiwan