You are fighting with a dead man!
Col.
3:2,3
"Set your affection [mind] on things above, not on things on the
earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
Rom.
6:6,7,11,12
"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the
body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve
sin.
7. For he that is dead is freed from sin.
11. likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin,
but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should
obey it in the lusts thereof."
The Christian who finds rest and peace in serving God, is the one
who believes that Jesus died for the whole person, and not just parts
of him.
Quit fighting with your "self", and begin to rest in the
finished work of Christ! "Your old man is crucified with
Him...". Quit using self effort to fight 'self', and allow
God's grace to perfect you. Jesus will finish what He has started in
you, if you will get out of the way, and let him do what needs to be
done. The Holy Spirit is your counselor, teacher, comforter, and
guide: start trusting Him, and relying on Him.
Too many schizophrenic Christians have split themselves up into two
or more parts, and are trying to fight themselves. Don't waste your
time trying to do what Jesus has already done! He has died on your
behalf, in other words, He has died AS you. If he died for you and as
you, than, the old you must be dead!
You will never, by your own efforts, be able to eradicate your
selfishness and your self- centered viewpoint. The only remedy for
the old man of sin, is death on the cross. Jesus said "Deny
yourself, take up your cross, and follow me".
Self cannot nail self to the cross, but you can reckon yourself to
be dead with Him; dead to the old sin nature, and alive to the
righteousness that is in Christ.
When Jesus was nailed to the cross, you were nailed to the cross,
(along with all your sins, shortcomings,faults and failures). By
faith, you can believe the word of His grace, and find rest and
victory! You are redeemed, and your sins are forgiven!
Are you 'born again'?, if so, the old you is dead, and the new you
is now alive in Christ. The seed has fallen into the ground and it
has died; something new has been born, and it is alive with
resurrection power. You are one spirit with the Lord. He is in you,
and you are in Him!
Sin has no more dominion (control) over you, you are now a child of
grace. The law cannot give you victory over your sinful nature, only
grace can prevail.
You are "alive unto God", enjoy it! You are a new
creation, act like it!
You are accepted in the beloved, Your Heavenly Father loves you very
much, Just as you are! Quit beating up your 'self', and trying to
crucify him; instead, consider the old you to be dead, and begin to
enjoy your life of victory in Christ. He is your peace and your power
!
Self fighting 'self' is a lost cause, trusting Jesus is your
victory! Holiness is the life of Christ flowing through the new
person that he has created. The death and resurrection of Jesus, is
more than an historical fact, it is the present reality of every born
again believer.
You don't need to fully understand the mystery of God's redeeming
grace in order to accept it by faith. God supplies the faith that we
need in order to trust Him, and the understanding of His ways will
come, as we get to know Him better.
There is a rest for the people of God, and any truly good works or
godly behavior that we do, are the result of us (as new creations),
resting in the finished work of Jesus.
Phil. 2:13 "For it is
God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
God bless you, as you trust in His grace!
Rev, Chuck Loubert
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