"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God..." 2 Corinthians 5:17-18
It's easy to change the outside. We work hard to make ourselves appear to be in perfect shape and eliminate habits that are clearly not in the will of God. Sometimes, we are even bold enough to get rid of the self-supported illusions of what we believe is "right" and truly submit ourselves to the will and word of God. We accept that we're a work in progress and are more than content to hand God those things which appear to be the strongholds in our life. We are more than content to let some things become new.
Personally, I have eliminated many habits and pracitices which are clearly not Christ-like. I have stopped doing things that can be easily identified as a misrepresentation of Christ and have distanced myself from quite a few wrong practices. But yet and still, their were thins I refused to submit. I was content to let parts of me suffer and let my hurts manifest themselves in new ways, but dying daily, becoming new, it just wasn't a practice I was constantly and consistently implimenting.
The Bible says that when we are in Christ the old has passed away and all things are then allowed to be of God. Letting old things pass away requires digging. It requires that we go to the root of our problems and not be content to pluck at the leaves, we have to dig up a foundation and not just tear down the walls of the stronghold. The practical application of that process is examining why we have done and continue to do the things that we do. Yes we do need to stop doing wrong and learn to do right as the prophet Isiah commanded the children of Isreal, but to a certain extent that requires that we ask God to shine a light on why we did the wrong in the first place.
God is a healer; it's in his very nature to heal wounds and scars. In submitting ourselves to God we allow him to carefully and gently dig through our habits (and trust and believe that digging hurts... alot) in order to apply order to our chaotic lives and truly restore our souls. The reason that it is much easier for people to live for a promise, than for God is because living for the promise allows that old nature to be reborn. It allows us to erect another idol that we can see and seek after. God does not want us to constantly look for instant gratification at long term expenses. In fact, his eternal nature allows for constant restoration and satisifaction if we would only set him as our goal and purpose. We must examine ourselves so that his healing power can wash over us and truly make us new.
1 comment:
the digging does hurt. Lord knows, I found that out the hard way. I don't why sometimes it is that we find that we want quick fixes. I guess because it's truly the difference between being in a one night stand and a true committment with God. Many of us are ready for His Peace, but not willing to sacrifice our ways in the world for it. That is why my prayer is constantly for God to bend me to His will, that I may adhere of my own will. I am working on it. It's......a process. Ya know?
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