Presentation of Faith

 

 But as it’s written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  
1 Corinthians 2:9

We’ll never know the things that God has in store for us or the things that God has prepared for us or purposed for us unless and until we put our faith squarely in Him and take that first step of faith.  We can’t even imagine!  

 This isn’t just the blessings or the material things that come from trusting God, but this is in our spiritual journey with God, we’ll never know or experience the fullness, the weight or the depth of our purpose in God without a promotion of faith.  Despite the severity of our personal situations or the uncertainty of the current situation of this country in which we live or, indeed. the world today, we have to stick to the task and the journey at hand.  We step out as far as God directs us and then we allow Him to take over.  In other words, whatever God says do, we do it – to the T – then watch Him work.  Nothing more; nothing less.

When I read the passage of scripture found in Ezekiel 47:1-5 & 9, where Ezekiel is being lead through the waters by God, it makes me see how far the church has drifted from God and how close it has come to the world – we’re doing the exact opposite.  Sadly, the church – as a whole – has slid so far from the narrow path that we’re looking for and seeking things that God never intended.  We’re striving for fame and fortune; for our name to be in bright lights; it’s not enough to have a comfortable life style anymore, we want more and more.  There was a time when we would be distracted by ‘not enough; the lack of’ but now it’s ‘I have enough but I want more, I deserve more’; even when it comes to the things of God.  I know I’m going to lose friends and make enemies when I tell you that God didn’t and doesn’t save us for bright lights and an entourage; a mansion and 10 cars and maybe a jet, Hollywood status fame.  But in many places, that is what it’s come down to.  That mindset is not God-worthy; it doesn’t support the standards of God and it certainly does not magnify God or bring Him glory; it actually does the opposite.  People no longer see God, they see you!  We have to get back to the straight path.  We choose our way and run with it; we don’t wait for God to lead us.  We don’t read in the text where Ezekiel questioned God as to the route he was being led or suggest a different way; he followed as God led him. The best we do is hope that God blesses us along the way.  The more ‘woke’ the world becomes – blatantly giving in to what Apostle Paul refers to as the works of the flesh – it seems as if the more the church slumbers as if we don’t see what’s going on.  But as heirs to the kingdom, as God’s children – as the body of Christ – we have to wake up to God; be focused on Him and His will and promote our faith in God and His word.

Because God gave us His spirit, we ought to do more than have a superficial relationship with Him.   It can't just be Sunday morning worship experience, a prayer here, a prayer there. Those things are good, but we

  Ø must be equipped to go deeper in God;

  Ø must have faith that defies human understanding;

  Ø faith that goes totally beyond what we think could happen;

  Ø must know when God has called us to do something He has already given us the ability              to do it or paved the way to do it.

We can’t doubt God or the ability that He places in us.  We can’t waver in our belief.  Double mindedness will keep us in the shallow place and not allow us to launch out into the deep.  Fragmented loyalty shatters our trajectory and leaves us dizzy and confused.  “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”  James 1:8

When God has complete control, we can't leave until our assignment is done, we can’t become distracted with the thoughts and ways of the world, our flesh or the enemy.

When God is leading us, He doesn't leave us where we are.  He beckons us to follow His lead.  No more can we settle for being average and mediocre, shining dull lights. 

If ever there was a time to take on His nature and characteristics especially in our dealings with situations and people, it’s now!  We have to learn to forgive even as Christ Jesus forgives us and instructs.  There’s something about being associated with God that transforms everything about us.  “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15 

       √       Allow our self to grow up in God.  When we don't get to a place where we can forgive people, we limit our own growth in God.  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11

In that same manner, we need to grow up spiritually by putting away the childish things like allowing our flesh to minister to us and manage us, carnality, worldly influences and standards that stunt our growth and keep us in a child-like state spiritually.     

       √     Don't go to hell from the church.  Again, church attendance, paying tithes, being a part of ministries doesn’t guarantee our entrance into heaven.  There must be demonstration of our faith unto God by obedience to His will.

Yes, we all start in Christ as babes, we start with the sincere milk of the word as Peter tells us:  “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2
so that we can grow and tolerate the meat of the word.   I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, . . . 1 Corinthians 3:2
But as a babe, taking in the milk, we can be observant of those that are living by the meat.  We drink the milk and observe those that are living out the word of God.  Think about the infant; the toddler that observes the parent and begins to imitate the parent’s actions.  My prayer is that the parent is giving the child a good example to follow and likewise, those that have spiritual maturity are setting good examples for the spiritual babes behind us.   The bible says:  “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1 
       √       Don't let getting outside of God's will cause you to leave prematurely.  God is saying come on up higher, lose your control and let Him have control.  We have to be careful to be clothed in God; in His holy Spirit everywhere, we go.  Our presentation must be God-worthy at all times.

That’s promoting our faith; rather it be ankle, knee or waist deep – Lord I don’t know where you’re leading me today, but I’m ready.  Just look at Jesus, as a child; in a temple teaching for hours; doing something that had not previously been done by a child.  But the leading of the Holy Spirit will have you doing and saying things that on your own, you either thought were impossible or you just never saw yourself doing!  Things that even those closest to you may not be aware, like Jesus’ family.  The bible says about the child Jesus, having discourse on the word in the temple:  But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.  Luke 2:44-46

He did this without any acknowledgment to his parents.  We can’t be afraid to step out in faith and believe that God will work with us and through us.  Have faith to make that life altering step that will change you and cause you to spring forth.  It's hard – not impossible – It's hard to come into contact with God and still be the same.  Remember the woman with the issue of blood  [Luke 8:43-48]  - that contact she had with Jesus changed her life – made the impossible possible:  And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. 

If we believe to the point that we have all the confidence in the world in God, then we’ll do    anything and everything God tells us to do.

  

King David is an excellent example of someone launching out in faith against all of the obstacles that had beset Him.  We find this account in 1 Samuel 30.  His entire camp had been burned down, the wives and children taken.  The men that he commanded upset and thinking about stoning David.  The bible says that as distraught as he was over what had happened, he encouraged himself in God and he consulted God as to what he should do.  Spiritual maturity; he didn’t let his flesh minister to him.  God tells him to pursue but not who to pursue.  Without question, David got his men together and headed out.  When I tell you to trust God that He can and does do far more than we can even begin to imagine.  God put in David’s path a young servant that had been discarded by his master who witnessed everything that had happened and was able to tell David exactly where to find the Amalekites.  The bible says:  And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.  And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.  And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all 1 Samuel 30:17-19

The point here is that David stepped out in faith; not knowing who he was looking for or where they were but knowing that since God said pursue, He was going to be victorious.  God doesn’t set us up for failure!

Get a desire for the things of God.  Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.  Psalms 37:4-5

Despite what our inner man may tell us, because we savor the things of God, we’ll do what He asks of us, we’ll obey His commandments as written in His word.  We’ll do that instead of what we choose to do, we’ll do what God tells us to do.  This includes doing those things that may not be popular to our friends, family or acquaintances – those things that show us as peculiar treasures of God! 

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: Exodus 19:5

Remember, there's nothing wrong with being peculiar. Peculiar is not strange; peculiar is being uniquely different because we have something on the inside working in and through us.  So, it’s okay to present our faith and be that peculiar treasure that God called us to be.
Remember, if we refuse to be as God calls us to be, we’re no different than those people that we read about in the bible who believed in God but because they feared the Pharisees, they kept it secret, so they wouldn’t be ostracized by the assembly of the Jews. They loved the glory that men could give them rather than the glory that came from God!
 
"Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."  John 12:42

But, when we savor the things of God above the things of this world or people’s opinions, we can freely move forward.  Not only that, our focus should be on the eternal things of God and not the temporal things of this world.  Yes, we know that the world is in a horrible state but we should set our focus on the eternal things of God and not the temporal things of this world.  We know that the world is in a horrible state but we should not be surprised about it.  The word of God expressly informs us of end time behavior of this world. 

Just as there is end time behavior upon us, we need to be in end time behavior through our prayers, praise, worship and faithfulness to do the will of God. Talk about understanding the times; the world has most definitely upped it’s evilness, and likewise so must the body of Christ up our presentation of faith toward God!  We can’t get so caught up in the things of the world that we lose focus on who is sovereign.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.   Colossians 3:2

Sermonette 

Wherever You Are, Begin There

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming 

the time, because the days are evil.  Wherefore be ye not unwise, 

but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:15-17

No matter where you are in your walk, lets focus on remaining or beginning to be encouraged in God to run this race as a good soldier. 

Remember David, after returning home from a battle, King David and his soldiers encountered a horrific scene; their campsite had been burned and all the women (including their wives) and children had been taken.  King David could have easily become discouraged but instead he encouraged himself in God.  

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.  1 Samuel 30:6

I’d like to encourage everyone today, no matter where you are in you walk with God to keep your mind focused on God, in perfect peace; allowing Him to quiet the storms in our lives and refresh our spirits as we continue to consecrate and draw nearer to Him and to do the things of God; even as we continue to focus on our purpose in God.
Apostle Paul encouraged the body of Christ in Philippi to:

v know Jesus and to experience the power of his resurrection and to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death,
v be raised from death [the kingdom of darkness] to life,
v strive to win the prize   
v forget what is behind and do your best to reach what is ahead.
v run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above. 

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:10-14

Lets focus on verse 13; forget those things which are behind you and focus on those things ahead of You.

With this mindset, we come to know that there is peace for our soul that comes directly from above and the world can’t take it away!  That peace is Jesus, let Jesus be the lover of your soul.  

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7

In Him we can find a place where our soul can be at rest and the peace of God will flood our soul and keep us at ease and blessed.

We don't have to live a dejected, depressed, oppressed or overcomed life, Jesus said this:  

The thief cometh not, but for to steal , and to kill , and to destroy : I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  John 10:10

In Romans, Apostle Paul lets us know that all things work together for the good of them that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.  Note that all things work together for THE good; not necessarily what we might call our good but for the good thing that God has purposed in our life according to HIS will.  This lets me know that sometimes God will allow things in our life that will bring us to the purpose that He has designed for our life.  Consider Joseph who was enslaved in Egypt!  It seemed like a bad thing, a horrible thing.  But look how that worked out.  Joseph was able to save not only his family but the all the children (his family) of Israel.  And on top of that He was blessed of God beyond his wildest imagination.  That’s a perfect example of how God will work things out for the good so that the glory goes to Him, but we’re blessed in the process.  So, it may not always feel good, it may not always look good, it may be painful in the process and you may think you will never see the light of day again, but what we don't see while we are going through difficult times is God working behind the scene orchestrating things on our behalf.

We already know that in the will of God we’re victorious.  God is omnipotent and if He has purposed it, it will come to past.  Consider what God told Isaiah:   

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth:  it will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:9-11

That’s powerful because God gave Isaiah a glimpse of who He is and how powerful He is!  If God said it, you can count on it!

Sometimes we have good ideas or we may feel led by God to do a certain thing and yet it is not panning out for us the way we thought it would go.  Could it be that we forget that it is God who is in complete control and if we want to be successful in Him, we not only submit our plans to God, but we commit the works of our plans to Him.  

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.  Proverbs 16:3

Whatever we do, we do it as service to God who will guarantee our success.  Have we set God as the center of our life?  That’s a concept that we often fail to grasp and hold onto.  Many of us, including myself, are controlling when it comes to our life and won’t relinquish that hold to anyone.  Being 21+, I understand that, but God is not anybody – He is the sovereign one that is always moving and working – oftentimes – behind the scenes; the landscapes of our life.   And because we don’t realize that, we think we’re fighting the enemy when in reality we are striving against God operating in our lives – orchestrating things according to His will.

It takes faith to believe that when we put God in charge of not only our life, but our work, then what we’ve planned will take place according to His will, not ours.  The other piece to this is that even when control issues are not the problem, we come up against the feeling of unworthiness because of things we may have said, done or thought in the past.  But let me assure you God lets us know through His word:

It's because of the Lord's mercies that we’re not consumed, that his compassions fail not.  They’re new every morning: great is His faithfulness towards us.  Lamentations 3:22-23

As long as we’re breathing, don’t ever think that you’ve done so bad or waited too late to live out your spiritual desires or act on the plan that God has given you.  Sometimes we need a ‘God’ moment or an ‘aha’ moment or a ‘come to Jesus’ moment; whatever moment it may be, we should do our due diligence, like the prodigal son and repent of any wrongdoing – for not trusting God; for striving against Him – and confess and ask God for forgiveness and return back or toward our rightful place in God; that place where we got off the path in our actions or our thoughts so we can get back on the right tract.  Just think about it; if you don’t know where you went left, how can you get right?    If we know where we went left and don’t go back and correct it, we’re still not right.  As long as we’re breathing and receiving of the new mercy that God gives every morning, we have the opportunity to get on the right tract. 

You may be thinking ‘but I haven’t done anything wrong’ and yet things are not coming to fruition.  I still say hold on and wait on God; commit your thoughts to Him and it will come to pass according to His will; if it is to be.  Remember, it’s our work that we commit to God but we do it according to His will.  No time is ever lost in waiting for God to reveal or execute His plan for us when we’re sincere in our efforts, faithful and loyal to God.  By patiently waiting, by the mercy of God and the truth of His word, iniquity is purged: and in this meantime, we move further and further from ungodliness [Proverbs 16:6] and position ourselves to move forward in God.

All along the way, as we traverse this journey, leaning on God each step of the way, we stumble, we faint, sometimes we fall, we repent, we get back up, sometimes we fall again and we get back up again, but we’re transforming ever more into the image of God; that time was not wasted as God matures us in Him; as we’re being converted.  We can look at men in the bible who despite what they went through; what they experienced, how they waited on God to show up, lead and guide them in the way that they should go. 

Men like Joseph who waited in prison for two years, but then emerged to save a nation.  He was being transformed from the spoiled son of a rich daddy to a man of integrity; so that when he was set in a place of power and authority and God’s chosen was in need of help, he was able and willing to provide the necessary aid without deceit, malice or anger.
We can always look at Moses, a man who was swathed in luxury from infancy to manhood; how he fled his home and waited in the wilderness of Midian for 40 years, but emerged to lead a nation in a great spiritual exodus from slavery to freedom. 

These 2 men walked carefully before God.  They developed a relationship with God just as we should.  The bible tells us that we should 

. . . be careful how we live; to be mindful of our steps. We shouldn’t run around foolishly like the world does. Instead, we’re to walk as the wise; as those that reverence God.  We should make the most of every living, breathing moment we have because these are evil times we live in. We need to understand and be confident in God’s will so that we don’t live thoughtlessly.  [Ephesians 5:15-17]
 
We can’t and shouldn’t wait until we feel like we’re perfect in our own eyes, we should begin right now, today,

Ø   BEGIN RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE:

          √       Obey God daily in the little things of everyday life

This is what Samuel had to tell King Saul about his disobedience:  

. . . Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? 

It’s hard to obey God when we’re not clear on what He is saying but we still have no excuse because He also says 

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22) 

Hearken means to listen carefully, to give due attention, to give strict mindfulness to.
What do I get out of that in terms of obedience is this:  Religious observance (in this case, the burnt offerings) without obedience is empty before God. The best sacrifice we can bring to God is a repentant heart.  He tells us this in His word:

For thou desires not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delight not in burnt offering.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:16-17

and not only that, our bodies surrendered to His service for obedience:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  Romans 12:1

If we’re not faithful over the little things God gives us to do right where we are, He’ll not entrust a greater call or ministry to us.  That’s bible, read Matthew 25:14-30 regarding the management of the talents.

We can take that parable and apply it to our everyday life.  All we have to do is simply look around our city with "spiritual" eyes and think what God has commissioned us to do. Ask God to show us those in need of the Gospel.  This is something we, as believers, should always be doing; increasing the talents.   Be willing to go and be used anywhere by God.  A good bible study for this type of diligence is the book of Nehemiah who had a determination and a willingness to do what God had purposed for him.  He was unwilling to let anything stop him – no matter what the obstacles were; and there were many.  He didn’t stop, he continued on. 

For us, this might mean leaving our own area and going to another area to spread the Gospel. It might mean just walking down the street to share the Gospel with someone in need.  We do all this while we’re waiting on God to show up in our work.  Next,

          √       We should start or continue to study the word of God and seek Him concerning what He would have us to do. 

. . . but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  Joshua 1:8

          √       Spend daily time in prayer.  

Ask God to stir up the giftings inside you.  If you know your spiritual gifting, exercise it or them as God prompts you.  For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.  Romans 11:29

Seek further training to prepare yourself.  Whatever area of your calling you feel you are lacking in, seek to improve in it.    

Ø    RECOGNIZE THE CORPORATE CALL OF GOD:
Remember no matter what our particular calling may be, every believer is called to share the Gospel with others right where they are.   Concerning the specific call on your life, there are certain principles by which we can be sure of the calling God gives us.   
 

Ask yourself these questions:
*        Does what we desire to do agree with God's universal plan as set forth in His Word? Is it Scriptural and does it contribute towards the goal of reaching the world with the Gospel?
*        Do the circumstances of our life agree with the leading of God? Let me caution you here not be led by circumstances alone, but examine these in terms of what you believe to be your calling from God.
*        Does God’s Spirit bear continual witness with our spirit that this is the will of God? Lack of peace in our spirit is often a warning sign that we are making a wrong decision.
*        Are we still "called" when there is no challenge of adventure or glamour connected with our call? If called to an insignificant task or field of service, are we willing to go?
*        Are we willing to pay any price to fulfill the call God has given us? The price may range from obtaining further education to dying a martyr's death. It may mean leaving home, family, and friends. Are we willing?
 
Ø   KNOW THAT GOD HAS ORDAINED YOU

Jesus has chosen us to be part of His plan for reaching the world with the good news. He has ordained that we bring forth spiritual fruit from the harvest fields.  As we see things from a godly perspective, we can understand what Jesus meant when he said:  

. . . I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: . . .   John 15:16

Let me conclude by saying this:  Everything that we do is for the glory of God, the promotion of the Kingdom of God and the winning of lost souls to the Kingdom.  

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.  John 4:35

Everything that we desire to do for God should be based on this premise and most assuredly, everything God has for us to do is based on this premise.  He has promised to supply anything we need to enable us to complete the task:  

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that YE should go forth and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, He may give it we.   John 15:16

Commit your ways, your plans, your very life to God and wait on Him to show up!

Sermonette

Steps to Living this Life

 

          This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  

                                                          Galatians 5:16

If you have not yet become a believer and true follower of Jesus by obeying the gospel and that is your desire, here are necessary steps to take:

     *  Believe in Jesus as the Son of God:

Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.  John 8:24

* Repent of your sins.

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3

Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.  Acts 17:30

 If you are living in any sin, there is hope and forgiveness if you will only repent and walk in the light:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9  

God can restore and strengthen you.

*Confess your faith in Jesus as LORD:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  Romans 10:9-10

* Be baptized for the remission of sins:

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Acts 2:38

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  Mark 16:16

Obey the gospel now and walk in purity with God.

Our Heavenly Father, the sovereign God of Heaven and Earth, is awesome in His love toward us and His love extends to us all. Through the free gift of God’s grace by Jesus’ blood - 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Ephesians 2:8

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,  Revelation 1:5

 - and through our obedient faith

By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Romans 1:5;

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  Romans 10:17;

But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:  Romans 16:26

- salvation is offered.

God in his gracious love and mercy has given us a way of escape to avoid the penalty of unrepentant sin.  We are told that if we admit our sins—simply come clean about them—He won’t let us down; He’ll be true to Himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.  One way to ensure that we get in and stay in alignment with God is to:

*WALK IN THE SPIRIT:

How does one stop doing the sinful works of the flesh?

ü Repent of your sin and have faith towards God through accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17

God does not take sinful man and give him a self-improvement course. He creates a new creature. The old things pass away. The works of the flesh are to be replaced by the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

üBe filled with the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who will enable you to walk in the ways of the Lord instead of the sinful ways of the flesh:

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  Galatians 5:17

ü Realize you cannot be freed from the works of the flesh and walk in the Spirit through your own effort.Apostle Paul described the struggle he had in his own effort to live a Godly life:

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  Romans 7:15-19

Apostle Paul experienced the difficulty of living a holy life but he continued to pursue this goal despite his failures.

Ask God to put a desire to be holy in your heart. Whenever you fail and sin, confess it immediately and ask the Holy Spirit to help you overcome it. This is how we learn to walk in the Spirit and...

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.  Romans 8:1-9

The fruit of Christ-like qualities only develop as we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is why it is so vitally important for believers to understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Let the fruit do the work:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

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