Did you know our destiny isn’t preset? Our lives aren’t on an inevitable collision course with fate? Apparently I didn’t! Sure, I knew my actions would affect my outcome, but I subconsciously thought God has a predetermined plan for my life and no tiny choice can alter it. I thought that God has a life (wife, kids, ministry) for me and nothing I can do now will affect that later. Pal, that aint right! Our lives, plans, and character are directly affected by the smallest choices we make — for good or for bad.
Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide…is the way that leads to destruction… Narrow…is the way which leads to life… (Matt. 7:13-14)” I don’t think He meant that the only ones on the broad path to destruction are those who are clearly rebelling. It’s not just our great big life choices that put us on either path, but every teensy tiny choice pushes us toward one or the other. Every time we choose to do bad (gossipping, looking at that person with lust in our hearts, speaking out of anger) we are pushing ourselves onto that broad path leading to destruction. Conversely, every choice for righteousness pushes us toward the narrow path leading to life.
Notice something interesting about these two paths Jesus speaks of: there is not a third one. There is either wide or narrow, good or bad. There is no middle ground. There is no such thing as coasting and no such thing as It’s neither bad nor good for me. Gal. 5:16-26 makes it clear that we are either walking in the Spirit or walking in the flesh, and these war against each other.
The only collision course we have with destiny is the one we choose — day by day, choice by choice. What path will you choose to be pushed toward today?
Sometimes we can get so caught up in keeping ourselves from sinning that when we do sin we fall into some serious shame and condemnation. We act like the most important part in Christianity is not sinning instead of loving God.
So we inevitably we sin (may it be a teeny tiny one or a big monstrosity), allow ourselves to enter into shame and condemnation, and we then wallow in our own guilt. We feel that our sin is too great for God to forgive. Understand that condemnation is not from God at all. Condemnation keeps us FROM God and in essence says to Jesus ‘Your blood isn’t good enough to cleanse me of this sin.’
So if condemnation is not from God, how do we stay clear of it?
2 Cor. 7:10 ‘For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.’
Really repent. True repentance is a turning away from sin and to God. It is not simply saying ‘Lord, I repent’ and then still wanting to sin and seeking it out. If you find that your desires are fleshly and sinful pray ‘Lord, create in me clean and pure desires. Take out these sinful desires in my heart!’ Be honest with yourself. You won’t get past sinful desires if you never admit that they are there.
2 Cor. 10:5 ‘…bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…”
We must be on the offensive with our thoughts. Learn how to distinguish when your mindsets are from the flesh and fight them with all you have. If you find your mindset is wrong, but don’t know how to fix it: Stop. Pray: ‘Lord, I know this mindset is wrong, but I don’t know how to fix it. Give me understanding. Lead me, Holy Spirit.”
John 14:15 ‘If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.’
I don’t believe Jesus was making an ultimatum. ‘If you really love Me you’d do what I stinkin say!! Gosh..’ Instead I believe it is a reverse statement of ‘you will keep My commandments because you love Me.’ Focus your energy on daily renewing your mind by the washing of the water of the Word, and enjoy God by realizing He enjoys you.
Phil. 3:9 ‘not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;’
1 John 3:7 ‘He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.’
Righteousness comes by faith. When Jesus died for us we are made pure and righteous by His blood. Righteousness could never come from our own doing, but it is only by God’s grace and Jesus’ blood that we are called righteous. Realize that if you ask forgiveness, and turn and repent then you are made righteous and pure.
Don’t get me wrong, sin is sin. I’m not trying to lessen what sin is, but simply help those out who are stuck in condemnation.
Hit delete on yesterday, and press in today to knowing God.
- Tagged:
- Enjoying God
- righteousness
- life
Comments