05/23/14 QUIT MOANING, START MOVING

05/23/14 QUIT MOANING, START MOVING

I understand a sinner living in defeat.
I understand a believer, who has not been taught the truth of heart purity, struggling with inner conflict.
I don't understand why a believer, who has been shown the light of the Spirit filled life, the life of perfect love, would choose instead to live in the shadows, be negative, be angry, be critical, be in turmoil, be defeated, except he has allowed himself to be deceived by Satan and taken captive.

Would a prisoner refuse a pardon?

Would a sick person refuse a cure?

Would a starving person refuse food?

Would a thirsty person refuse cold water?

For a prisoner of darkness to walk away from light, is like an addict choosing the horrors of bondage instead of the joys of deliverance.

Bondage to sin

starts with a person entertaining the possibility of a sin,

then allowing that sin in his life,

then enjoying that sin,

then loving that sin,

until finally he has been shackled by that sin.

The sin that he once had, now has him, and he may never escape it.

However, if Christ has laid hold of us, for eternal life,

We ought also to lay hold of that eternal life.

Forget that which is behind,

Reach for those things which are ahead,

Press toward the goal, the mark, the finish line for the prize of the high calling of God (Ph. 3:12-14).

Philippians 3:12-14

12  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.

13  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,

14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.