| Thursday, June 7, 2007 |
| Expect victory |
In the small group/Bible study I do with a bunch of youth group girls, we are going through a book called "What to Expect Now that You Believe." It's designed for new believers - explaining what kinds of things are to be expected in a new walk with Christ. We're almost done with it ... and it's sparked some interesting discussions so far.
Anyway, the chapter for this week is entitled "expect victory." It's a concept that is near and dear to my heart, because I believe that most Christians have not quite grasped this idea ... and that is what leads to defeated, non-lifebearing Christians. The author refers to the passage in Romans 7 (I do what I do not want to do...) and Romans 8 (the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace...) which are the passages I was thinking about the other night. He gives ten contrasting characteristics of the carnal nature vs. the spiritual nature. By agreeing with what Christ did on the cross for us, we can EXPECT victory in these areas. We don't have to give in to the carnal nature.
Carnal Nature vs. Christ Nature
Gossip ---- Encouragement
Oversensitivity ---- Sensitivity to others
Temper tantrums ---- Anger for sin
Lust ---- Love
Bitterness ---- Forgiveness
Divisive ---- Reconciling
Doubt ----Faith
Demanding my rights ---- Denying my rights
Selfishness ---- Selflessness
Apathy for God ---- Apathy for the world
In his book, Absolute Surrender, Andrew Murray says "I said a little while ago that there is many a man who has learned the lesson, 'it is impossible with men,' and then he gives up in helpless despair, and lives a wretched Christian life, without joy, or strength, or victory. And why? Because he does not humble himself to learn that other lesson: With God all things are possible."
The thing that I love about this is that we don't HAVE to live in helpless despair! Yes, I can reach the point where I know it is impossible for me to live the list on the right. It is impossible for me to be righteous on my own. And praise the Lord that He brings me to that place! Because it is then that I know that every day I become living proof that with God, all things are possible. I CAN have victory. But it is only through Christ. Murray says, "my heart's desire and delight, O God, is absolute surrender, but I cannot perform it; it is impossible for me to live that life, it is beyond me. Fall down and learn that when you are utterly helpless God will come to work in you not only to will, but also to do."
I want to be there. I want to know it is beyond me to have the victory, but I want to expect victory. I want to live my life taking hold of that victory, with joy and strength! |
posted by emily @ 12:19 AM  |
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| 1 Comments: |
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well written! I often think of Matthew 21, when Jesus curses the fig tree and teaches the lesson that if we are to truly believe, all things are possible through prayer! It will never happen in the flesh - but ALL things are possible through Christ! Lets move some mountains and walk on some water :)
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 - Name: emily
- Location: United States
Then I went down to the potter's house, and behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
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well written! I often think of Matthew 21, when Jesus curses the fig tree and teaches the lesson that if we are to truly believe, all things are possible through prayer! It will never happen in the flesh - but ALL things are possible through Christ! Lets move some mountains and walk on some water :)