14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 2 Peter 3:14 (ESV)
Confession time. Sometimes I just sin on purpose. I know what I am getting ready to do is wrong, and I do it anyway. Or when I get caught up in a situation, I am too stubborn to reverse my behaviors. I am guilty of not "mak(ing) every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him."
I know what I am getting ready to say is not pleasing to God. I say it anyway.
I know I should spend my time in the morning in prayer and Bible study. I head out to work anyway.
I know when I am getting ready to over eat. I have that extra helping anyway.
People talk about will power. "I just don't have the will power I need." "My self control is lacking." "I just can't help myself." It is not a will power problem, it is a pronoun problem.
Me, myself, and I don't have the willpower or self-control to ever keep from sinning. It is only through allowing the Holy Spirit to control and direct will we ever have any hope of being "found spotless, blameless and at peace with him" this side of heaven.
Each hour of each day should be consciously given to him in prayer and supplication. EVERY effort. Remaining spotless, blameless, and at peace is hard work. As Christ reminded his disciples in the Garden, "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matt. 26:41 (ESV) That is why we must offer our spirit up to him continually so that our flesh might be strengthened.
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