Are you really a new creation in Christ and if you are, what are some ways to renew your mind?(2 Cor. 5:17)
“I urge
you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy
sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of
worship. And, don’t be conformed to this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove
what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans
12:1-2)
Here are a
couple of things. First is a practical way of avoiding temptation.
As much as possible keep away from people and thing that pull you the wrong direction and instead follow Christ – become a disciple. You will have to go out into the world, but don’t become like them. Protect yourself with a good church family. Practice sharing what you know with others and help in discipling them. Find a mature believer or two that will help you and guide you in finding truth (like in a small group). Begin to daily train yourself to trust and rely on God by spending time with Him in Bible study and prayer. Doing these things is good and necessary for growth, but don’t forget that it is not what you do but why you do what you do. Keep your motivation love. Anytime you begin to operate on your feelings check yourself and see if you haven’t fallen into “doing what I should” because it is right rather than enjoying God and His love. Anytime you feel like you are failing remind yourself that the responsibility for victory belongs to God. Jesus has won the victory and your hope is a certain hope based on God and His Word. Remember Jesus last word on the cross, “it is finished” (tetelestai in Gr.).
A second is to recognize where and who the power over sin comes from.
Stay grateful and amazed that God loves you and provided for your Salvation; it is totally by grace through faith you were saved. You and I are not good people who needed a little help from God, but are sinners totally separated from holy God and deserving of eternal separation – death.
As John Claypool said, “The way of forgiveness is the way of gratitude and astonishment. It lets the past become our teacher rather than our judge.” Let your attitude be that, “I’m amazed that God forgave me and that He loves me and because of that I am so thankful that I cannot help but love Him and want to obey Him.
As much as possible keep away from people and thing that pull you the wrong direction and instead follow Christ – become a disciple. You will have to go out into the world, but don’t become like them. Protect yourself with a good church family. Practice sharing what you know with others and help in discipling them. Find a mature believer or two that will help you and guide you in finding truth (like in a small group). Begin to daily train yourself to trust and rely on God by spending time with Him in Bible study and prayer. Doing these things is good and necessary for growth, but don’t forget that it is not what you do but why you do what you do. Keep your motivation love. Anytime you begin to operate on your feelings check yourself and see if you haven’t fallen into “doing what I should” because it is right rather than enjoying God and His love. Anytime you feel like you are failing remind yourself that the responsibility for victory belongs to God. Jesus has won the victory and your hope is a certain hope based on God and His Word. Remember Jesus last word on the cross, “it is finished” (tetelestai in Gr.).
A second is to recognize where and who the power over sin comes from.
Stay grateful and amazed that God loves you and provided for your Salvation; it is totally by grace through faith you were saved. You and I are not good people who needed a little help from God, but are sinners totally separated from holy God and deserving of eternal separation – death.
As John Claypool said, “The way of forgiveness is the way of gratitude and astonishment. It lets the past become our teacher rather than our judge.” Let your attitude be that, “I’m amazed that God forgave me and that He loves me and because of that I am so thankful that I cannot help but love Him and want to obey Him.
Keep your eyes
on Jesus and get them on yourself; then you can daily take up your cross, not
to carry, but to reckon your “self” dead to the power of sin over you. Then you
can enjoy your forgiveness; enjoy the new life that is yours as a Christ
follower! As Paul put it, “Even so consider
yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:11
Keep amazed and thankful and you will love and obey and when you do, God will transform you and use you!
Keep amazed and thankful and you will love and obey and when you do, God will transform you and use you!
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