Saints not Sinners, Part 1

11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. (romans 6:11-14)

Have you ever taken time out of your busy schedule to offer yourself to God as one who has been brought from death to life and the parts of your body as instruments of righteousness? What if this were to be taken literally, and not merely figuratively. I mean, it would seem to me that we physically let sin reign in our mortal bodies, obeying its evil desires. Do you agree? When I allow my eyes to linger on a presumptuous woman in a television commercial or add in the mall, I am physically letting sin reign in my body. When I sin in any way, I am making a physical and spiritual decision. I've learned that it will never get any easier or better. The decision will always exist. However, if I live life trying to defeat sin, then I will be fighting the wrong battle. Ephesians 6 seems to indicate that the battle is not with flesh and blood, but rather a spritual war in heavenly places, one fought in spirit and in the mind. I think we have a lot to learn about spiritual things in our day and age. Because I think the Spirit is more involved in this battle than I've been taught in church. What if I sat still for a little while and contemplated in my heart, mind, and spirit my position in Christ, before literally, physically, and spiritually offering my body to God as one who has been brought from death to life. What do you think? Am I off my rocker? Are you merely fighting the sin in your life, or you engaged in an intimate, love relationship with God and opening yourself to the work of the Spirit in your life?

Holding Hands

Man, I haven't written something in a long time. But, then again, the adventure has kept me busy fighting impossible battles, defeating attacks from the enemy, taking beautiful, life-changing walks Jesus, taking a trip to another country, enjoying deep friendships, experiencing a few set-backs, struggling with sin, working, facing betrayal, experiencing a painful separation, and doing everything I can to trust God as he teaches me to be that man after His own heart. You know, though I know it sounds so cheap and unauthentic on a xanga blog, I am experiencing what it is to be fully alive. I am living an abundant, victorious Christain life. Life hurts deeply, but the joy is indescribable, the strength is unbelievably real, and the grace abounds in abundance...and at the end of the day, I can't help but smile because God--the faithful, covenant keeping God, my Redeemer and Fear---is so good.

It takes a spirit-led choice to walk with him, and to realize that He really is interceding for us, and speaking to our hearts, reminding us that we are His children, sons and daughters, and best of all, heirs of God.

I've struggled with sin this summer, but His grace has abounded all the more. I've doubted the heart of God, but He replaces that doubt with assurance and faith. I've felt so lonely, but He has come to my rescue, in the form of a brother and a friend he sent to speak to my new heart. And that's what takes my breath away. I have a new heart. And so do you. It's the heart where Jesus lives. It's the heart that defines us and makes it possible to love. Sometimes true love means letting go. Regardless, I will keep running....running hard towards the finish line...looking to my Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. So, I'm alive and well, and with a tear in my eye, blood on my shirt, and a smile on my face, I am, by grace alone. And check this: I'm holding hands with the hand that holds the world... :)

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸ Love never fails.