Your Insides

Your Insides 

by David Brenneman 

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we." 2 Corinthians 10:3-7.

When you are out in public do you watch what you are doing? Character wise that is?

When on social media are you watching what you are doing, careful of how you are perceived?

When among close friends or family are you different than you should be?

Do you ever look at your inner self to see the fingerprints of God in your life?

We all probably need no help in discovering ways to fall into embarrassment. We probably don't need help in discovering it...however...we can be desensitized to the criticism we richly need to become more like Christ. 

How sensitive to learning to be like Christ are you? We read here that we're at war. Peace is only momentary and not regular...at least not until we leave this world for Heaven if we're indeed saved in Christ. 

Do you take stock of your ways?

Are you careful to present yourself as a child of God in Christ?  

Do you or have you permitted things in your life that if you are honest God does not approve of?

Things that God's Word has clearly said are sins...do you redefine them and keep them ahold of them anyways?  

Our society for several generations now have been redefining sin to remove its utter sinfulness. Sometimes to the extent that these concepts have been introduced in churches and many many people have been lead astray. 

Jesus is against legalism but is for obedience to God's Word.  

When you even get dressed...do you adorn yourself in such a way that highlights idolatry or do you present a child of God?  

Christians are supposed to be Christ-followers...as Ambassadors of God in Christ there's a higher standard of life to be shown to the world. We're not to attempt to camouflage our Christ-like attributes to not offend those around us. 

Do you at all look to see how your character measures up to the character of Christ? That's the standard. Those saved in Christ are part of the body of Christ and should exhibit the character of Christ by living according to the Word of God. 

Your character isn't disposable. 

When at war as we are with the forces of wickedness in world...we cannot afford to let up in living life for Jesus or set aside our armor of God for any reason. 

Many make excuses to keep on sinning because repentance is too uncomfortable. Well...it's supposed to be uncomfortable! So that we don't do it again. That's the Spirit working in our lives. 

Satan's digging in wherever he is permitted by Jesus to do so. Jesus is only going to allow so much before He does cause life to turn and bring that son or daughter of God back around to a right relationship with Himself. 

Adversity, as Dr. Charles Stanley said it, lasts only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us. Likewise I believe even prosperity can fall under that as well. 

I don't want to be rich and famous. I would be reluctant to be desiring to be seriously well off. Why? For the same reason as is written in the Bible...I would forget about all that the Lord has done in my life and boast in myself. Debt free I can live with should the Lord so grant us. Moderately above that so as to not be in debt to help others and deal with life's issues I would be ok with as well. But I don't want to tarnish my character by ignoring what things such as what the world values will do to my life in Christ. 

Christians need to do better at valuing what the Spirit says is important...and placing that level of importance above anyone else. 

After all...we will give an account of our lives before Jesus. What do you really want that account to report concerning how you lived in this world?

As the hymn says "living for Jesus a life that is true...striving to please Him in all that I do..."

The inner man or woman is always laid bare before Him with whom we have to do. This means that there's absolutely nothing about any choice or decision we have made or will make that He doesn't know the absolute truth about. We may lie to ourselves but never before Jesus. 

We may redefine sin but He will never accept that. We may not call something sin but if He does...then my Dear Reader...it's sin.

Our opinion on this matter doesn't matter. If we have a problem with what God has said is sin then the problem is with us and we need to get over ourselves.  

In the coming week people will see all over various places an encouragement to make resolutions. Resolutions can and will be broken. Try recommitting your life to Christ and cleaning house of whatever you have permitted inside your life that you know He doesn't approve of. 

Get back to living for Jesus in all that you do. Get back to striving to live in the character of Christ.  

Do you not want to present a crown of righteousness derived from your obedience to Christ or are you really ok with giving Him nothing for all He did for you?

Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Those saved should live life in Christ in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.

Take a good look inside your life and see who is reflected to the outside world.  

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.