I was once on the verge of making a fatal mistake. I knew that it would disrupt and destroy every good thing that had ever been built up in my life! I felt like a rope had been tied around my waist and was dragging me toward the edge of a terribly dangerous cliff. My self-control was failing me and, though my heels were dug in... my shoes were leaving grooves in the ground behind me as the force of my inward compulsions continued to drag me forward. I was on the verge of self-destruction and I KNEW it!! With eyes...WIDE open! Now, obviously, by the grace of God Ive survived! But I repeatedly run into people that are presently in that same scenario... going through that same desperation. Like Jim Carrie, theyre crying out, Somebody, STOP ME!! While they are fully convinced that they dont want to do what they are doing... and are fully aware of the cost of their next mistake... they... can... not... stop themselves!! Can... NOT!! Now... you can argue theology with me all you want, but Ive been there and done that! Have you? Heres my point: Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. Its not a work of the flesh. Do you know the difference between a fruit and a work? Work has to do with our own effort and activity. And when it is of the flesh... that means it is coming out of our own self-dependency and self-righteousness. Whereas fruit speaks of the natural out-growth of the presence life. It comes without work. And THIS fruit is of the Spirit. It comes from Him, not from us. Self-control is not a result of desperate will-power, determination and fervent devotion to God. No. Self-control is the result of the Holy Spirits activity and presence in your life! But, Bob! The Spirit doesnt seem to be producing any self-control in my life! See!! Im out of control! And this addiction... this habit... its getting ready to whack me again! And when it does... I know that I might not survive it this time!! My family will reject me! And my church friends will cut me off!! HELP!! Friend, you can relax. There is a better way! And... it... works!! Notice that Galatians 5 [works of the flesh... fruit of the Spirit] follows after chapters 1,2,3 and 4!! And what are the first 4 chapters about? Righteousness [right-standing with God] as a GIFT... by faith... apart from doing the works of the Law!! When YOU begin to see just how right Jesus has made you apart from your doing... then the Spirit begins to flow... and self-control begins to...GROW!! NOT... through achieving. BUT... through... believing!! When you focus on Christs gift to you instead of your ability or inability to please Him... THEN... you will find yourself beginning to please Him... EFFORTLESSLY! You dont need more will-power. You need a change of focus! When you focus on Jesus instead of yourself, your life ..es ...back ...under... control!
Posted on: Tue, 27 May 2014 14:52:34 +0000
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