I love sharing what I sense God is showing me. And I love sharing with you!
The reason I get excited is that I envision it helping you enjoy your relationship with Him. That’s what is all about.
Eternal life is to know God! John 17:3
Lately I’ve noticed two ways I think when I am not pleased with myself.
1. “Why did I do that! I have to stop that behavior. I’ve got to crucify myself. I’ve got to do better. When am I ever going to learn!”
Or
2. “Hey, that behavior doesn’t fit anymore. That’s not who I am now. Jesus paid for that old nature and I get to live a resurrected life in Him. Thank You, Lord for doing the work. I get to celebrate with you and reckon myself dead and alive in You.”
Which line of thinking do you experience most often?
My early years as a Christian were spent making a lot of effort to change myself. I didn’t like the way I acted, so I would speak rather harshly to myself in an effort to overcome my negative tendencies. I interpreted verses about being more like Jesus as something I had to work hard to accomplish!
I’ve come to find out, it is something that has already been done. That is quite a difference!
It also sounds too good to be true.
So, what is my part?
The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:10-11 NIV
Bit of study here
The Greek word we translate to count is logízomai (the root of the English terms “logic, logical”) – properly, compute, “take into account”; reckon (come to a “bottom-line”), i.e. reason to a logical conclusion (decision).
I believe God is asking us to cooperate by the way we think. He wants us to remember (count) that we are dead to sin and alive to Him.
And wait…
… there is more great news.
God helps us with our thinking.
More on that part next time.
In the meantime, take some time to consider how you talk to yourself.
Are you frustrated and trying to fix yourself?
or
Are you celebrating that Jesus has brought us new life?
[…] as promised I will follow up on the January 13, 2021 blog post “Choice.” I had written this follow-up several weeks ago, so praying it makes some sense and blesses […]