More Excuses: Temptations

Here's number two on Bro. Hayes' list of excuses for not excepting Christ.  Temptations.  (Not the group!)......those desires and earnings we know are not right or best for us, yet we tend to bend, follow, embrace them anyhow.

People can feel like there is no way they could live the Christian life after they accept Christ, as they don't believe they could ever overcome temptations.

2 Corinthians 6:17, " When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside.  He is not the same any more.  A new life has begun!"  A new person.  One who sees things differently.  One who doesn't find the same things attractive anymore.  For some it is immediate, for others a process.  As Christ's new life in you changes you, your wants, desires and needs change.

Galations 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ: and I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  And the real life I now have within this body is a result of my trusting in the Son of God, who loves me and gave himself for me."  I praise God that he chose Paul as the replacement of Judas!  Paul who watched them crucify Christ.  Paul who hunted down Christians.  If Christ can give this man new life, He can certainly give new life to you!

 "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control;..." Galatians 5:22.  Everyone who believes in Christ and accepts Him as his Savior receives the Holy Spirit as a guide, teacher, friend.  This Spirit, when we following His leading to read the scriptures, pray and fellowship with other Christians will grow this new good fruit in our lives. 

"And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in His grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns."  Phillippians 1:6.  See, it is God doing the work!  NOT us.  If it were us, we'd have no chance.  He is faithful and he will continue up until the return of Christ!  This shows He does not expect us to be "perfect and finished" now, but on our way towards the time at Christ's return when we will be.

Hebrews 7:22, 1 Peter 1:3 both serve to remind us that it is Christ and His victory that keeps us from and thru temptation.  We are actually adopted into the family of God!

And then in closing, the beautiful promise of 1 John 4:4:  "Dear young friends, you belong to God and have already won your fight with those who are against Christ, because there is someone in your hearts who is stronger than any evil teacher in this wicked world."  Tempted?  Whisper "Jesus!"  He walked this earth in flesh to endure every temptation and lust we can come across....yet He never gave in!!  He understands completely what we face and He knows how to help each one of us rise above it.

                                      

If you are afraid to come to Christ as your Savior because you think you'll never overcome temptation, remember that He forgives and cleanses completely.  He can forgive any sin except the one of rejecting him.  To think you can do something he cannot forgive denies Him as Savior.  To think that He cannot understand your temptations and help you to rise above them is denying His Lordship.  Apart from Him you can't and you never will.  But in Him all things are possible and HIs Will will be accomplished.