“Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Romans 7:24
March 20, 2024
At some time or another we have tried it. Shortcuts. We took what we thought was a better way to get where we wanted to go, but it didn’t work out very well. There are no shortcuts to growing up in Christ. The experience of holiness of life is one of conflict. There will be struggle in the Christian life. This is not joyless, grim combat with our old disposition, the sin that dwells within. The objective is to be advancement victoriously through the power of the Holy Spirit. Growth in the Christian life is not attained through techniques and formulas (the latest Christian self-help book), legalism, giving up something you like to do, disciplined self-denial. Growth in the Christian life will not be found in some grand experience (“baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking with tongues”), or some over-the-top emotional experience in a worship service. Avoid the shortcut-temptations. Stay on the biblically designed route. For starters, it is the transformation of heart and life into the image of Jesus Christ. This is possible because of justification by faith through the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you there?
H
“I need you Lord. You have said, ‘blessed are the poor in spirit.’ I’m parked in the handicap space. Thank you for the Spirit to enable me to overcome sin in my life.”