How often we make excuses: I had a hard day at work, I have
a headache, I didn’t get enough sleep last night, they were rude to me first, I
was abused as a child, my parents were the same way so I just inherited it,
everyone does it. These things may
be true, but God does not sympathize with sin . . . no matter what the cause or
reason. He is a compassionate God
and understands our handicaps but He doesn’t want them to prevent us from
living a victorious life.
Sin separates us from God and quenches the Holy Spirit in
our life. There may be reasons for
why we act a certain way but we can’t allow these to be our excuses. We must cast down every imagination
that sets itself up against God and take captive every thought and make it
obedient to Jesus Christ. We must
be obedient in the small things before we will gain victory over the larger
struggles in our life. He who is
faithful with little will be entrusted with much.
We must get to the point that we are not content in our sin
– it cannot be acceptable to us because it is not acceptable to God. We are to be sanctified daily. It’s one of the great lies of the enemy
when he justifies our behavior that displeases the Lord. This does not mean we walk in
condemnation, but we must walk in surrender. Scripture says, “Be holy therefore because I am holy.” He will help us accomplish this if we
simply acknowledge our sin and repent.
It is a process . . . but a beautiful one that leads us into
victory. We are deceiving ourselves
to think it is better to remain the way we are – Christians are not to blend in
with the world. We should stand
out as different. If we were
really walking in the truth of His Word, everyone would be drawn to us and want
what we have.
Walk in integrity.
Let the Holy Spirit change you.
Though the process can be painful, you will soon find out it is
life-giving. Like an amputation that
is required to save an individual’s life, the loss is painful but critical. Let God cut away the dead and destructive
things in your life. Use your
tongue for life and not death. Let
us say only that which is helpful for building each other up.
I have finally found a place where I want the Lord to
chasten me. I want His correction
because I know greater peace and victory lie on the other side of my
repentance. The change that
results is good for me and glorifies my maker.
Let’s not stop striving for perfection. If we struggle with an unholy
pattern of thought or behavior, let us pursue Him until He helps us change . . . and get
whatever help we need to attain victory.
Our God is faithful. He
promises that “when we seek Him we will find Him IF we seek Him with all of our
heart.” He will never leave us or
forsake us – no matter how many times we mess up, He will never give up on
us. His mercies are new every
morning. Let’s seek Him and not
let go until we get a breakthrough . . . like Jacob did. He wrestled with the angel and persevered, refusing to give up, so God blessed him. Sometimes these encounters leave us with a limp but I’d
rather encounter God and walk with a limp than operate in my own strength and
fail.
Remember, “it’s His kindness that leads us to
repentance.” Any voice that brings
shame is not from the Lord. Allow
Him to convict you and then respond to His leading, but do not allow the enemy
to beat you up with a record of your past sins or continued failures. The blood of Jesus purifies us; we are
new creations in Christ, the old has gone and the new has come.
Continue to renew your mind daily with God’s Word and call
upon His name and He will save you.
He will never fail you. His
voice is one of peace, so any voice that brings anxiety, doubt, or fear is not
from Him. Rest in the faithfulness
of our God and look expectantly for His hand of blessing. Remember that though the process may be
painful, it is His pruning that leads us to bear much fruit. Don’t settle for less than God’s best –
don’t settle for the standards of this world. God has more in mind for you – search Him until you find and
attain your destiny in Christ.
This begins with repentance.
Let’s stop making excuses. Let’s throw off everything that hinders and entangles and run
the race as if we are running to win the prize. We may not be ready to run a marathon yet but let’s start training. We may be sore and short of breath as
we begin but we will get stronger as we go. We are co-laborers with Christ so He will come along side us
and give us the strength we need each day to overcome all obstacles.
Let the Lord have His way with you – you will never regret
it.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6
