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Reign in life
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It’s okay to fall into temptation and then repent. It’s a fine thing, I suppose, to “lose it” with your kids and then come back and ask forgiveness. It’s nice that you’re always honest with me from the pulpit and assure me that you fall repeatedly like me; and you’re so transparent, confessing to me that you also constantly forget to trust in Christ and to rejoice. But when that’s all you ever tell me I am not so greatly empowered.
I want to hear you say sometime that you do trust in God day by day, that you have been learning to be strong in him in moments of temptation. And I want to hear the stories pour out — how you didn’t lose it with your kids but managed to hold firm in faith and love because you were conscious of God (1 Peter 2:19), and how you called on his power when you saw the test coming (Psalm 50:15). I want to know how this walk of faith is changing you, and that you no longer stumble around in defeat but are living a new life.
Repentance and confession, yes. These are the graces that lubricate the fellowship of saints. But are these not given that we might also go beyond and see some better victories, lest we start to think that stumble-and-confess is all the height that we can climb? Did the Word not say that we would “reign in life”? (Romans 5:17)
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A matter of life
Yeah, there is a tension there. Move too far in either direction and this sanctification thing can turn ugly. I’ve seen it happen both ways.
So you’re looking for some victories Andree? How about the fact that I am finally learning what it means to be a grown up. It only took 48 years, but that is the miracle unfolding each day in my life these past few months. It wasn’t easy getting there. Lots of stumbling and confessing that you refer to and yes, the sin unfortunately remains; some days more than others.
But, more importantly, God keeps reminding me what it truly means to be strong and courageous. To resist temptation and encourage others to do the same. To look at conventional wisdom and when required, expose the fact that there is nothing wise at all; rather foolishness. Do you know God had to tell Joshua to be strong and courageous three times (in one paragraph no less!) as he stood on the banks of the Jordan waiting to cross into the land of His promise (Joshua 1:6-9)? This was the same Joshua that 40 years earlier had visited that same land (giants and all!) and assured the leaders of Israel (along with Caleb) that taking it would be a walk in the park. Yet, Joshua, in all his courage and strength needed a pep talk from The One who is truly The Almighty. We know the rest of the story.
I have found the key to victory is to remain humble like a child; for inflated confidence leads to arrogance, which ushers in pride, which ultimately leads to sin and a fall. We see this played out frequently; sometimes in our own lives, sometimes in those around us. Each day is a struggle, but thankfully, if we ask He will give us our daily bread, forgive us our tresspasses (if we forgive others), lead us not into temptation and surely deliver us from the evil one. We just need to remember that our Father alone is worthy to take on the power and the glory while still remaining pure. If we try to assume these things, they lead us to sin and temptation.
May God grant us His grace, compassion, humilty and truth to be the grown ups for a world that often does not know its left hand from its right. And may His Kingdom come and may His will be done…Amen.
Amen, Nitrobob.
Amen and Amen!
HE IS RISEN!! HE IS RISEN, INDEED!! ALLELUIA!!
Even our good is sin because of God’s full perfection. It is only through Christ that we have any hope at all. We try to do good out of gratitude for the great thing He did to assure us eternal life and that others may see and believe.