Some things must die in order to be productive. Certain seeds will not germinate into a plant unless they freeze during the winter. Jesus knew that His death would bring salvation to the world. The moment you became a Christian, your sinful nature died (Rom. 6:6), but there remained sinful aspects of your character that had not gone to their graves willingly. Before you became a Christian, were you self-centered? You may discover selfishness lingering in your life when you ought to be freely sharing what you have in the name of Christ (Matt. 10:8). Did you have a volatile temper? Now as a believer, you experience moments when anger wells up within you. Were you driven by ambition? You may still find yourself with the same motivation as you strive for recognition and position in the kingdom of God. If these sinful attitudes are allowed to remain alive, they will stifle the fruits of the Spirit. Your temper may prevent some from coming to Jesus. Your selfishness will hinder you from being a blessing to those around you. Your ambition could cause you to use others to meet your goals. Your family may be suffering because of some areas of your life that you have never allowed Jesus to put to death. It is futile to say, “But that's just the way I am!” That is the way you were. But that person died with Christ; you are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). Allow God to complete His work in you and see what fruit your life produces. - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day
This, to me, was and is a complex aspect of Salvation. There have been times when, after the fact, I realized that my sin nature got the best of me.
Letting go is sometimes an easy thing, sometimes not so much.
Letting go is on us. Jesus is indeed doing a wonderful work in us to make us like Him, but obedience is still on us.
Even in this thinned down time in our lives of doing a whole lot less because of various quarantines. It's on us to obey.
I am not proud of my outbursts in life. Especially when it came back to bite me.
I know many call it pride. I suppose it could be related to that. Sometimes it's arrogance. Sometimes it's stubbornness.
The ugly part about having less you can do is it gives you a great deal of time to think.
There's many asking questions about suicide rates before this is over. Suicide is something that I am familiar with. Even with where I was with God over 20 years ago, despair had gripped me that bad. God obviously saved me in that moment or I wouldn't be talking to you wonderful people today. If we but look for it, even in the most grim of circumstances, God leaves us a ray of hope.
Letting go of what we want in life in favor of what Jesus wants of us should be our desire. I mean, really, look at where we are in human history. Look at what the Bible says is happening. Jesus is far closer to returning now than He has ever been. My thoughts of this world are just fewer and fewer of things in it. My own prayers are about those who are not saved yet. Praying for the health and safety of family and friends. Prosperity isn't it. My desire is in front of me. I really look forward to the day I finally get to be held by Jesus again. To be told "Welcome Home".
Letting go of foolishness isn't always easy because we have to replace our idea of what that is with what God says it is.
There's real stories of rich people who had anything their hearts desired. Yet died in barren loneliness because it did nothing for their heart. Some of those people almost went insane. Paranoia gripped them. But they could have anything they wanted! It's funny, everybody who has ever won the lottery has regretted it. Everyone thought they could handle it. That it wouldn't handle them.
Everyone, whether or not they acknowledge it, believes they can handle their sin nature. That it wouldn't handle them. Scripture says repeatedly of people doing what was right in their own eyes. All people are like sheep that have gone astray. Everyone.
The Bible calls Jesus the Good Shepherd. He knows what's best for people like you and I. If we would but listen. Letting go is His directive. Taking up our cross and following Christ requires not holding on to anything else. You need both hands to do it. Letting go of distractions. To carry a cross requires focus and undivided attention. Oh we will slip and drop it. Pick it back up and keep moving. Jesus is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteous. If you are saved.
If you are not...that will never apply to you. Your sin remains. You stand in the muck and filth of sin. Only in Christ has He cleansed a person to be white as snow.
You have to let go of what you want in favor of what He wants.
As posted several days ago for those who reject Jesus and His plan and purpose reject everything that it takes to be saved. Peace, protection, and the power over sin.
Today my dear reader, since you have so much time on your hands. Sit down for a while and have that talk with Jesus that you have been avoiding. He's ready to have that talk. You see the death, burial and Resurrection of Jesus put choice in your hands. He loves you unconditionally, but you have to want it. You have to choose it. You.
Only you can let go of your life to receive eternal life in Christ. Nobody can pray you out of Hell. Scripture says each person is responsible for themselves before Christ.
To be saved requires you asking in this life. You. Read Romans Road to Salvation. In this pivotal hour in history, God is providing you the opportunity to not miss the boat.
The birth pangs Scripture speaks of in Thessalonians will grow in frequency. They will start coming at a greater pace. Then one day the Rapture of the Church will happen and the Tribulation period in the book of Revelation will be here.
Don't mark my words....read it for yourself. Jesus is coming. The King is coming.
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