Saturday, December 17, 2005

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.

14 comments:

  1. Just beautiful. Thank you for reminding us. Paula

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  2. Beautiful entry  barb, you always touch my heart friend!

    hugs
    angelrose

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  3. Very nice Sunday sermon!  Linda

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  4. I think that the more you come to know Jesus Christ, the more you love him, and the more you become willing to follow him and keep his commandments.  When you truly know the Savior you just really have no desire to do anything that would drive away his spirit.  Great thoughts!

    Kara :)

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  5. Hey- very thoughtful post.  I am soooo glad that He has begun good work in me- because I know on my own- I could never change.  Good topic.  Merry Christmas Barbara- to you and your family- lots of blessings to you all!  Carolyn

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  6. hello friend love the sermon thank you for sharing GOd bless kelley

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  7. Hi Barbara...this is Maggie in Oregon (Wingshadow Walks)...I am back on AOL again and I've started a new journal "Wing Shadow Walks Again".....just wanted to let you know!  I switched servers for a while and went to Earthlink....but I am back.  Merry Christmas!!!!

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  8. I could never have changed by myself. I tried for many years, but failed time after time. Jesus said, "Without ME, ye can do nothing." Once I learned to let HIM work through me it was a piece of cake. Oh, I still fall now and then, like we all do, but with each day that passes, I fall less. This was a wonderful entry.
    Bless you, dear one.
    Barb- http://journals.aol.com/barbpinion/HEYLETSTALK
            http://journals.aol.com/barbpinion/THERESTOFTHESTORY

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  9. Helpful words to guide me toward faith in Jesus.   It is difficult for me to accept the suffering of so many in this life.   Have a good Christmas, and a great New Year.   mark

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  10. Just stopping by from Karas journal. I have never seen your journal before but can tell it is one I would love to read. Hope your holidays is bright. There is nothing like getting close with God and letting go of everything else. :o)

    Blessings.
    Angela

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  11. Hi Barbara,
            YOU ARE SO RIGHT.  WHEN WE ACCEPT JESUS AS OUR PERSONAL SAVIOR, IT DOES'NT MEAN THAT WE WILL NEVER SIN AGAIN.
           HOWEVER IT DOES MEAN THAT WE ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
    THE 'HOLY GHOST' OR  'HOLY SPIRIT ', WHICHEVER WE PREFER, DWELLS WITHIN US AND WE HAVE A CHOICE.
        THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL HELP IF CALLED UPON. A POLITICAL SPEECH IS NOT NECESSARY TO ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR HELP. IT IS POWERFUL HELP WHEN WE SINCERELY ASK FOR IT.
        CHILDREN SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THIS MORESO THAN ADULTS. ESPECIALLY IF A CHILD HAS LEARNED SCRIPTURE SINCE BABYHOOD.
       EVEN SO, AN EVIL MINDED ADULT CAN TURN IMMEADIATELY TO GOD WHEN SEEING ' THE LIGHT '. THIS OCCASIONALLY HAPPENS, ASTOUNDING THOSE WHOM HAD BEEN A PARTNER IN EVIL WAYS. PEOPLE FEARED ' PAUL '  FOR A TIME AFTER SEEING ' THE LIGHT ' ALONG THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS.   SAM

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  12. Beautiful my friend. Yes, some of us have trouble accepting that Christ forgives us if you just ask. He is an amazing God ! Hallelujah! god bless you this CHRISTmas and always, Beckie

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  13. PRAISE GOD for your sharing this!
    It is TRUE!  GOD changes us, and GOD helps us, HIS care is amazing in that it is complete and total and leaves us LACKING NOTHING!

    I can't count the times I made a big mess of my life (with sin & WRONG choices)
    then, went to GOD asking HIS forgiveness asking HIM to help me clean up that big old mess I had gotten myself into.

    I now KNOW beyond ANY doubt that WHATEVER SIN or temptation I give into
    I WILL TOTALLY BE SOOOOO SORRY FOR IT LATER!
    100% of the time.
    Sin (choosing to do/act/say against what GOD's Word says is RIGHT)
        ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS BRINGS SOMETHING HORRIBLY BAD INTO OUR LIVES.

    And the TRUTH IS: We WILL REPENT of  it  one way or another:

    If GOD's HOLY SPIRIT helps us to see and repent before we die

    or if we choose to ignore GOD's grace now, then we will repent in hell later.

    May all who read take heart, and repent of all wrong doings NOW.
    Later may be too late.

    Merry CHRISTmas to one and ALL.
    Much love in CHRIST JESUS,
    Cammie
    http://journals.aol.com/yeshuaessenor/JESUSJESUSJESUS

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  14. Amen. Wonderful post.

    Kathryn

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So glad you stopped by! Come 'round any time. ~ Barbara

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