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Bible Study Denying Ourselves.

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The first main issue with Christians is that we don't deny themselves for God, this would explain why most of us are so confused. We must cease following our own hearts and understanding of how things work by partaking solely in the word of God. We tend to get sucked into communities of the World which teaches us ways contrary to the scriptures. We have heard that we cannot serve two masters, so what makes us not heed this message? Remember, others can pull us away from God inadvertently, so we must continuously be circumspect on who we choose to dwell around.
God Bless!
 
Hi Servant Morris and welcome to CF :wave2

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

There is no fence riding when it comes to our relationship with the Lord. We either pick up our cross to follow in the path of righteousness and the doctrines of Jesus, or we follow after mans doctrines and follow our own path of self righteousness.

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
 
Faith in the Cross creates humility - Faith in ourselves or other things creates self-righteousness.

JSM

Proverbs 21:21
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

Only those who “Follow after” righteousness and mercy will find and experience Life, Righteousness and honor. The only Way to follow after righteousness and mercy is to follow after the One who is our Lord of Righteousness and mercy before God, Jesus Christ. Here’s what must be known about following Christ. Anyone who does not have their faith in the work of Christ at the Cross is not following Christ, as He taught that to follow Him one would have to deny himself, take up his cross (Faith in His sacrificial work at Calvary), and then He can be followed (Luke 9:23).

Every Word that God has ever spoken is “In Righteousness” (Proverbs 8:8), and for faith to come, we must hear God’s Word in its proper context (Romans 10:17), or it will not be faith which comes, but the corruption of our flesh. The Bible says the Spirit is Life because of Righteousness (Romans 8:10), and this Righteousness is the result of God’s love and mercy toward us through our faith in the death of Christ (Colossians 1:20). Outside of faith in the sacrifice of Christ “Daily”, this honor will not be found, and no man will see the Lord through us.

Pastor Curtis

Please remember - Christian disciplines will not and do not bring the Believer victory over sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil.
 
Please remember - Christian disciplines will not and do not bring the Believer victory over sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil.

Could you explain this as I see if we are disciplined by being obedient to God's commands and through faith that is Christ Jesus it is He who gives us the victory over sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil.
 
Hi Servant Morris and welcome to CF :wave2

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

There is no fence riding when it comes to our relationship with the Lord. We either pick up our cross to follow in the path of righteousness and the doctrines of Jesus, or we follow after mans doctrines and follow our own path of self righteousness.

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
That's right, forhisglory!
 
Could you explain this as I see if we are disciplined by being obedient to God's commands and through faith that is Christ Jesus it is He who gives us the victory over sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil.
Please understand that Christian disciplines will not give us victory over the sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil. In other words, you can focus, you can meditate, pray more, read the bible more, fast, and still be defeated - even though these things are scriptural. This is what the Apostle meant when he said, "When the commandment came, it deceived me (Romans 7:11).

God has chosen to operate His work from the basis of faith. "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:2) is God's prescribed order of victory for the Believer over sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil. This means that the Believer must place and maintain proper Faith the size of a mustard seed exclusively in Christ (who He is) and His Finished Work (what He has done), i.e., The Cross, i.e., The Blood of Jesus. Why? Because whatsoever that is not faith is sin. By doing so this enters the Believer into justification and progressive sanctification that gives the Holy Spirit the legal means to keep all commandments and all laws that is impossible for us to do. The Holy Spirit renews the mind when Faith is placed and maintained in Christ and Him Crucified. Why? Because we are now operating in the spirit. The presenting of your body as a living sacrifice and the renewing of the mind is not a Christian discipline nor a work of labor, but an act of Faith to believe only - daily. No Believer can fix the flesh with the flesh. All fruits that are added to the leaves of the Believer most be done by the Holy Spirit or you enter the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21).

The Holy Spirit, He Works strictly within the parameters of Jesus Christ and the "Finished Work" i.e., "the Cross of Christ" i.e. "the Blood of Jesus," which demands that our Faith be exclusively in the Cross of Christ. The reason is simple, that's were the price was paid, and the victory was forever won (Romans 6:1-14; 1 Cor. 2:2; Gal. 5; Gal. 6:14; Eph. 2:13-18; Col. 2:14-15).

For whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)
 
The Way Of The Spirit - TheTree of Life
Focus: The Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6)
Object Of Faith: The Cross of Christ (Romans 6:1-14)
Power Source: The Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-2, 11)
Results: Victory (Romans 6:14)

Man's Way - The Tree of the knowledge of good and evil - the work of the flesh
Focus: Works.
Object Of Faith: Performance.
Power Source: Self.
Results: Defeat!

The only way to God is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6)...the only way to Jesus Christ is by the Means of the Cross (Luke 14:27). The only way to the Cross is a denial of self (Luke 9:23). If any person tries to come any other way, Jesus says, "they are a thief and a robber" (John 10:1).
  1. Jesus Christ is the source of all blessings.
  2. The Cross is the means by which all blessings are given.
  3. The object of our faith must be Christ and the Cross.
  4. That being done, the Holy Spirit will greatly help us.
JSM
 
We enter into sanctification by placing and maintaining our Faith exclusively in Christ and the Cross, i.e., The Finished Work, i.e., The Blood of Jesus (Romans 8:2). The Holy Spirit only works exclusively between Jesus Christ and the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won. This is the only way the Believer receives Grace. Anything and everything outside of Christ and Him Crucified is the law of sin and death. This is why Paul said, "We preach Christ Crucified." Why would he say that? Because that is the only answer and solution for sin.
 
Please understand that Christian disciplines will not give us victory over the sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil. In other words, you can focus, you can meditate, pray more, read the bible more, fast, and still be defeated - even though these things are scriptural. This is what the Apostle meant when he said, "When the commandment came, it deceived me (Romans 7:11).

God has chosen to operate His work from the basis of faith. "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:2) is God's prescribed order of victory for the Believer over sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil. This means that the Believer must place and maintain proper Faith the size of a mustard seed exclusively in Christ (who He is) and His Finished Work (what He has done), i.e., The Cross, i.e., The Blood of Jesus. Why? Because whatsoever that is not faith is sin. By doing so this enters the Believer into justification and progressive sanctification that gives the Holy Spirit the legal means to keep all commandments and all laws that is impossible for us to do. The Holy Spirit renews the mind when Faith is placed and maintained in Christ and Him Crucified. Why? Because we are now operating in the spirit. The presenting of your body as a living sacrifice and the renewing of the mind is not a Christian discipline nor a work of labor, but an act of Faith to believe only - daily. No Believer can fix the flesh with the flesh. All fruits that are added to the leaves of the Believer most be done by the Holy Spirit or you enter the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21).

The Holy Spirit, He Works strictly within the parameters of Jesus Christ and the "Finished Work" i.e., "the Cross of Christ" i.e. "the Blood of Jesus," which demands that our Faith be exclusively in the Cross of Christ. The reason is simple, that's were the price was paid, and the victory was forever won (Romans 6:1-14; 1 Cor. 2:2; Gal. 5; Gal. 6:14; Eph. 2:13-18; Col. 2:14-15).

For whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)
Thanks for your contribution on this topic, ilove.

I do understand that we cannot keep the laws 100% or be sinless, but we still must attempt. The most dangerous thing about this doctrine is that the majority of Christians use this as a crutch to not even attempt to "do" what most of the scriptures tell us to do. As a result, sin increases because there isn't a priority of accountability. Obviously, the main goal should be to decrease sin in the world; we can't do this unless action is performed.

p.s. Christ didn't only talk about being sacrificed, he actually went through with it.
God bless!
 
Please understand that Christian disciplines will not give us victory over the sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil. In other words, you can focus, you can meditate, pray more, read the bible more, fast, and still be defeated - even though these things are scriptural. This is what the Apostle meant when he said, "When the commandment came, it deceived me (Romans 7:11).

God has chosen to operate His work from the basis of faith. "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:2) is God's prescribed order of victory for the Believer over sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil. This means that the Believer must place and maintain proper Faith the size of a mustard seed exclusively in Christ (who He is) and His Finished Work (what He has done), i.e., The Cross, i.e., The Blood of Jesus. Why? Because whatsoever that is not faith is sin. By doing so this enters the Believer into justification and progressive sanctification that gives the Holy Spirit the legal means to keep all commandments and all laws that is impossible for us to do. The Holy Spirit renews the mind when Faith is placed and maintained in Christ and Him Crucified. Why? Because we are now operating in the spirit. The presenting of your body as a living sacrifice and the renewing of the mind is not a Christian discipline nor a work of labor, but an act of Faith to believe only - daily. No Believer can fix the flesh with the flesh. All fruits that are added to the leaves of the Believer most be done by the Holy Spirit or you enter the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21).

The Holy Spirit, He Works strictly within the parameters of Jesus Christ and the "Finished Work" i.e., "the Cross of Christ" i.e. "the Blood of Jesus," which demands that our Faith be exclusively in the Cross of Christ. The reason is simple, that's were the price was paid, and the victory was forever won (Romans 6:1-14; 1 Cor. 2:2; Gal. 5; Gal. 6:14; Eph. 2:13-18; Col. 2:14-15).

For whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)

It's all through faith that is Christ Jesus and our belief in what He has already taught us that we be obedient to God's commandments and statures and that we put on the full armour of God, Ephesians 6:10-18, that gives us the victory over sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil and even death, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

How do we hear? By the Holy Spirit using others to preach the Gospels to us.

How do we become obedient to God? By reading and studying that of what we are to be obedient to, which is God and His commands.

How do we fellowship with God? Through prayer and fasting.
 
Thanks for your contribution on this topic, ilove.

I do understand that we cannot keep the laws 100% or be sinless, but we still must attempt. The most dangerous thing about this doctrine is that the majority of Christians use this as a crutch to not even attempt to "do" what most of the scriptures tell us to do. As a result, sin increases because there isn't a priority of accountability. Obviously, the main goal should be to decrease sin in the world; we can't do this unless action is performed.

p.s. Christ didn't only talk about being sacrificed, he actually went through with it.
God bless!
A Christian commits acts of sin. A non-Christian practice sinning. The truth is sin can not attach itself to a Christian because we are in Christ (as longs as our Faith is placed and maintained exclusively in Christ and the Cross). If Christ is a law-keeper, than I am a law-keeper because I am in Him. So, do I still repent and confess my sins? Yes we do. To maintain fellowship with our Father in Heaven (1 John 1:9).

Justification" delivers me from the penalty of sin, and "sanctification" delivers me from the power of sin.

Any Christian who try’s to keep any part of the law is a transgressor - Gal. 2:18.
 
It's all through faith that is Christ Jesus and our belief in what He has already taught us that we be obedient to God's commandments and statures and that we put on the full armour of God, Ephesians 6:10-18, that gives us the victory over sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil and even death, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

How do we hear? By the Holy Spirit using others to preach the Gospels to us.

How do we become obedient to God? By reading and studying that of what we are to be obedient to, which is God and His commands.

How do we fellowship with God? Through prayer and fasting.
All commandments are kept by the Holy Spirit because we are in Christ (Romans 8:2). Most Christians are practicing Salvation by "Faith," and Sanctification by "self?" The Righteousness of God is imputed to a person only on the basis of Faith in Christ, and what Christ has done at the Cross. Romans 4:5
 
All commandments are kept by the Holy Spirit because we are in Christ (Romans 8:2). Most Christians are practicing Salvation by "Faith," and Sanctification by "self?" The Righteousness of God is imputed to a person only on the basis of Faith in Christ, and what Christ has done at the Cross. Romans 4:5

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The law of the Spirit of life is the good news of Jesus that by Him through God's grace and the finished works on the cross we have new life, a Spiritual life, through faith as we no longer are under the curse of the law of sin and death.

We are justified through faith by the righteousness of God, meaning right standing with God in our heart as being in a relationship with Him. This can only happen through total faith and dependence on Christ that we deny our own self (flesh) and walk in obedience to the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit).

Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

What it all boils down to is the greatest law of love, which is the righteousness of all the laws that are fulfilled in us who walk in love.
 
Please remember - Christian disciplines will not and do not bring the Believer victory over sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil.


Could you expound on this a little so I can understand what you mean by your statement “Christian disciplines will not and do not bring the Believer victory over sin” ?


Thanks JLB
 
God has chosen to operate His work from the basis of faith. "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:2) is God's prescribed order of victory for the Believer over sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil. This means that the Believer must place and maintain proper Faith the size of a mustard seed exclusively in Christ (who He is) and His Finished Work (what He has done), i.e., The Cross, i.e., The Blood of Jesus.

The Spirit works in us to lead us to live our lives according to the Spirit, rather than according to the lustful desires of our flesh.

We are to be consecrated and set apart, and the way we do this is by the Christian discipline of setting our mind on things above, rather than the things of the earth.

This takes Our effort by the grace of God, His Spirit working in us to compel us to live godly and deny the desires of the flesh.


Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:2-5


again


Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:12-13


  • if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body

Please note, it is us, by the power and grace of the Spirit, that we ourselves “put to death”, or mortify, the deeds of the flesh.

There are many such commands, that we are to do, because we have The Spirit in us, empowering us to do these things.


But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:20-22


  • Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor,

  • Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.


These are things, disciplines we are to actually do, because we can, by His grace.


The New Testament is filled with such commands for us to do... because we have faith.





JLB
 
The Spirit works in us to lead us to live our lives according to the Spirit, rather than according to the lustful desires of our flesh.

We are to be consecrated and set apart, and the way we do this is by the Christian discipline of setting our mind on things above, rather than the things of the earth.

This takes Our effort by the grace of God, His Spirit working in us to compel us to live godly and deny the desires of the flesh.


Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:2-5


again


Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:12-13


  • if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body
Please note, it is us, by the power and grace of the Spirit, that we ourselves “put to death”, or mortify, the deeds of the flesh.

There are many such commands, that we are to do, because we have The Spirit in us, empowering us to do these things.


But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:20-22


  • Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor,

  • Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
These are things, disciplines we are to actually do, because we can, by His grace.


The New Testament is filled with such commands for us to do... because we have faith.





JLB
The scripture says, "For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor." Galatians 2:18

In other words if I use my flesh (the law) and not the Spirit (grace) to accomplish sanctification I become a transgressor.

Most Christians are practicing Salvation by "Faith," and Sanctification by "self (lukewarm)?" The Righteousness of God is imputed to a person only on the basis of Faith in Christ, and what Christ has done at the Cross. Romans 4:5

The Believer must stay in His death, burial, and resurrection and are, therefore, victorious (It is Jesus Christ life that brings victory - not ours). That is the only way we are triumphant in Christ (II Cor. 2:14). And that is the only way He can work in us both to will (change our desires), and to do (give us the power of the Holy Spirit) (Phil. 2:13)

This is the only way we receive the life of Jesus Christ to manifest in our lives so that we receive all the benefits of this Resurrection life (Luke 9:23).

JESUS SAID, "YOU CAN DO NOTHING WITHOUT ME (John 15:5)! EVERYTHING THAT MAN DOES DIES. EVERYTHING THAT JESUS DOES IS BLESSED, AND LIVES, AND HAS LIFE (Psalm 1:3)!

If the Believer does not understand this, all scriptures become enticing words to the flesh, that will be attempted by the flesh to perform (Romans 8:2-3, 1 Cor. 2:4). The Believer now becomes a transgressor (Gal. 2:18). Under Grace, the Holy Spirit carries out the will of God in the Believer (Romans 8:2). Under the Law, the flesh (your own ability) carry's out the Law of God. Under Grace, the New Covenant, if Christ is a Law keeper, than I am a Law keeper because I am in Him (Romans 6:3-5, Gal. 2:20-21).
 
2 Peter 1:1-11 (A.D. 66)

“1 Simon Peter, a servant and an Apostle of Jesus Christ (the position of “servant” is placed first; if one cannot be a true servant for the Lord, then one cannot be an Apostle; the Lord guides the Church by the Office of the Apostle through the particular Message given to the individual, which will always coincide directly with the Word of God; Apostles aren’t elected, they are called of God), to them who have obtained like Precious Faith with us (proclaims the Faith that Gentiles can now be saved exactly as Jews, in fact all coming the same way) through the Righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (this Righteousness is obtained by the Believer exhibiting Faith in Christ and what He did at the Cross):”

“2 Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord (this is both Sanctifying Grace and Sanctifying Peace, all made available by the Cross),

3 According as His Divine Power has given unto us all things (the Lord with large-handed generosity has given us all things) that pertain unto life and godliness (pertains to the fact that the Lord Jesus has given us everything we need regarding life and living), through the knowledge of Him Who has called us to Glory and Virtue (the “knowledge” addressed here speaks of what Christ did at the Cross, which alone can provide “Glory and Virtue”):”

“4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and Precious Promises (pertains to the Word of God, which alone holds the answer to every life problem): that by these (Promises) you might be partakers of the Divine Nature (the Divine Nature implanted in the inner being of the believing sinner becomes the source of our new life and actions; it comes to everyone at the moment of being “Born-Again”), having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (This presents the Salvation experience of the sinner, and the Sanctification experience of the Saint.)

GROWING IN GRACE

5 And beside this (Salvation), giving all diligence (refers to the responsibility we as Believers must show regarding the Christian life), add to your Faith Virtue (this is Faith in the Cross, which will bring “Virtue”; the type of “Virtue” mentioned here is “energy” and “power”); and to Virtue knowledge (this is the type of knowledge which keeps expanding);”

“6 And to knowledge temperance (self-control); and to temperance patience (our conduct must honor God at all times, even in the midst of trials and testing); and to patience godliness (being like God);

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness (carries the idea of treating everyone as if they were our own flesh and blood “brother” or “sister”); and to brotherly kindness charity (love).

8 For if these things be in you, and abound (continue to expand), they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Once again, this “knowledge” refers to what Christ did at the Cross, all on our behalf.)”

“9 But he who lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off (the reason one may lack these things is he is spiritually blind; in other words, such a one has made something other than the Cross the Object of His Faith), and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. (Such a Believer is once again being ruled by the “sin nature” exactly as he was before conversion, which is always the end result of ignoring the Cross.)

10 Wherefore the rather, Brethren, give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure (this is what Jesus was speaking of when He told us to deny ourselves and take up the Cross daily and follow Him [Lk. 9:23]; every day, the Believer must make certain His Faith is anchored in the Cross and the Cross alone; only then can we realize the tremendous benefits afforded by the Sacrifice of Christ): for if you do these things, you shall never fall (presents the key to Eternal Security, but with the Promise being conditional):”

“11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the Everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (The entrance into the Kingdom is solely on the basis of Faith evidenced in Christ and the Cross [Eph. 2:13-18; Jn. 3:16].)

JSM
















.
 
im with the material iLOVE has posted, personally. the flesh is useless in obtaining victory over sin, satan, self, death, and the world. Jesus--Christ, and Him Crucified--has won the victory, and we are to abide in Him to see a taste of His victory in this life, in the here and now.

easier said than done, of course. the temptation is there (for me, most definitely) to trust in: Christian self-help, a Christian workshop, the pastor with sound doctrine and the needed credentials, another Christian (extra guilty on that one), Christian-ish sound bytes, Christian psychotherapy....

and at best...one gets a 'fix' on the flesh that might hold out for a bit, or might not...and then try again, with a different church, a different psychotherapist, a new hit author....

on and on, on and on. I'm only a bit over 6 years into my walk with Him, and I know He's graced me thru -a whole lot- of self-based efforts, my worst ones relying on Christian(ish) psychology and older, wiser Christians...

thing is; worldly wisdom fails and is to be rejected, and the Christians I leaned on have their own faith, their own testimonies...will face their own judgment...

and now, I have my (growing, imperfect, some days are better than others) faith, an ongoing testimony of His work in my life, and I, too, will face judgment for what -I- have done in my body, during -my- time on earth, and for what -I- have or have not done with the the grace shown me....

ok. kinda rambled, but iLOVE's material from the JSM struck a chord with me, yet again. :)
 
im with the material iLOVE has posted, personally. the flesh is useless in obtaining victory over sin, satan, self, death, and the world. Jesus--Christ, and Him Crucified--has won the victory, and we are to abide in Him to see a taste of His victory in this life, in the here and now.

easier said than done, of course. the temptation is there (for me, most definitely) to trust in: Christian self-help, a Christian workshop, the pastor with sound doctrine and the needed credentials, another Christian (extra guilty on that one), Christian-ish sound bytes, Christian psychotherapy....

and at best...one gets a 'fix' on the flesh that might hold out for a bit, or might not...and then try again, with a different church, a different psychotherapist, a new hit author....

on and on, on and on. I'm only a bit over 6 years into my walk with Him, and I know He's graced me thru -a whole lot- of self-based efforts, my worst ones relying on Christian(ish) psychology and older, wiser Christians...

thing is; worldly wisdom fails and is to be rejected, and the Christians I leaned on have their own faith, their own testimonies...will face their own judgment...

and now, I have my (growing, imperfect, some days are better than others) faith, an ongoing testimony of His work in my life, and I, too, will face judgment for what -I- have done in my body, during -my- time on earth, and for what -I- have or have not done with the the grace shown me....

ok. kinda rambled, but iLOVE's material from the JSM struck a chord with me, yet again. :)
...have no confidence in the flesh (Phil. 3:3)
 
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