We have to Be perfect in order to make heaven - Page 19

Aquila · #1 04-21-2011, 06:43 AM

I had a sin that I struggled with for many years. I'd "rededicate" and try harder, only to fall flat on my face over and over and over. When I began to realize that the Christian’s life isn’t about “living for God” but about “living in Christ” my walk was revolutionized. By living in Christ I now study my Bible not to know what I must do…but to know who I am in Christ Jesus. As I have been appropriating these truths I have experienced much blessing and peace. Realizing that I am one with Jesus has brought such comfort and conviction I cannot describe it. As I continued to struggle with this sin I simply gave in. I prayed to the Lord telling Him that I have tried to overcome this sin and that I am incapable of doing it. I’ve tried to do it by will power and I’ve tried to do it by imploring the Spirit’s help. And time and time again, I find myself falling. I told the Lord that “I give up trying” to fix myself. I “give up” trying to “help” you fix me. I told Him, I simply pray that “YOU change me”. And I surrendered resting in His infinite grace. After a few weeks I didn’t see any change. I only saw an even more intense desire to see the power of God manifest in my life through my deliverance. Then one night, as I was laying in bed sleeping, I found myself suddenly fully awake staring at the ceiling. I was free. Just like that. I got up and I sat on the edge of the bed silent, looking inward, searching for that which had temptation that tormented me for years. It was gone. I got up to get a drink of water and this Scripture came to mind…

Ephesians 2:8
{2:8} For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not
of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: {2:9} Not of works,
lest any man should boast. {2:10} For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in
them.

I realized that all those years I struggled to either fix myself or help Him fix me. And that’s why I struggled. I now know what it means to be “His workmanship”, His “masterpiece”. I don’t strive to work for my righteousness. I rest in His grace, believing that I am dead to the Law. I appropriate my identity in Christ, thereby appropriating His righteousness. Allowing His divine nature to live itself out through me. I reckon it to be so by faith. I have a few more issues I have to lay down before Him. He has taught me that I may give them to Him and rest in His grace. And He will indeed finish the work He began in me. All I have to do is rest in His grace, pray to Him regarding the change I need and…have faith.

Aquila · #2 04-21-2011, 06:49 AM

It's funny. We approach our Christian walk like a spiritual 12 step program. If we want to overcome sin and live in victory we must:

1.) Read our Bibles every day.
2.) Pray at least three times a day.
3.) Pray in tongues at least 30 minutes a day.
4.) Try harder.
5.) Rededicate.

.......... and the list could go on and on.

No. All one must do is rest in His grace, lay the need for change before Him, and appropriate who the Bible says we are in Christ by believing it to be so through faith... even if we don't see any evidence of that righteousness yet. When God changes you it's more than just a self willed behavior modification. It's a change in nature and identity. It's you becoming less you... and more Jesus.

If you're tired of a works based salvation...turn to a life of faith. As this song plays, pay attention to the words and let them be your prayer to your loving and merciful Father. He could never love you more... and He'll never love you less. You can't change you. Only He can change you child of God, as you realize who you truly are in Jesus Christ. Rejoice. You already are... perfect in Him. Now allow that reality to flow through you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj-1SmPthQI

Aquila · #3 04-21-2011, 07:08 AM

We received the Holy Spirit by faith... why do we think we can maintain our faith by obedience to a Law that we are dead to? No... we mustn't work to obey the Law after having begun in faith! We now must live and walk by faith. Faith in the Lord who supernaturally changes you, conforming you to the image of His own Son, as Jesus lives His live out through you in the power of the Spirit. This is... walking in the Spirit. If we walk according to our carnal desires or walk according to law... we are walking after the flesh. Walk after the Spirit beloved. For there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. And rest in Christ Jesus, as God reveals who you are in His Word, .... for you are complete in Him, who is head of all principality and power. Think not that you must now keep yourself. For He is able to keep you from failing. It all begins and ends in Him.

Aquila · #4 04-21-2011, 07:47 AM

Interesting video....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYbAGWitFFY

Aquila · #5 04-21-2011, 07:51 AM

God doesn't want your best efforts. At our best, we are not good enough. God wants your self to die. God desires that you to take on the identity of Jesus, the mind of Christ, be conformed into His image, allow Christ to live through you. God wants to miraculously change your nature, make you a new creature, a partaker in His nature, perfect in Him, and declared righteous by who you are in Christ, not by what you do.

A life of "faithfulness" can be two things....

1.) A life of obedience to religious standards through fleshly will power. (Legalism)
2.) The supernatural result of having a changed nature in Christ Jesus. (Faith)

Aquila · #6 04-21-2011, 07:58 AM

"Faith in the vine brings fruit in the branches." ~ Miles J. Stanford

Michael The Disciple · #7 04-21-2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

1.) A life of obedience to religious standards through fleshly will power. (Legalism)
2.) The supernatural result of having a changed nature in Christ Jesus. (Faith)

And number 2 is what God is working in the saints. A life of obedience as a result of the new creation.