Thursday, 30 May 2024
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP
I think most of us at some point or another, have heard someone or even ourselves say, “This is just who I am. I’m just like that.” Funny how this statement is hardly ever said when the person is doing something noble or impressive. If anything, it is used to justify something unacceptable or unpleasant to those on the receiving end of the behaviour. If Apostle Paul, as a righteous man and a priest unto GOD, could say, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
I Corinthians 9:27 NKJV
It tells us the seriousness of being disciplined in the things of GOD and in this faith walk. How doing what we feel and want is not necessarily in line with what GOD says or wants. The flesh can never be at peace with the Holy Spirit. If anything, it will always choose temporary pleasure over anything designed to build the inner man.
In these times that we are living in, unfortunately there is no longer room for us to easily accept our shortcomings as minor and insignificant, for this is precisely what the enemy uses to build on and eventually create a web of sin we cannot escape from. Nations are crying out for a revival and the world is desperate for GOD and for spiritual healing. Desperate for the bread of life and to be filled with the Holy Spirit of GOD that makes all things new. And if us as Believers are meant to be GOD’s representatives on the earth, but we are just as drunk on wine as those of the world, then who must GOD depend on for man’s salvation.
I’ve even heard Christians say they enjoy going to parties and clubs with unbelievers because they can minister the gospel to them there. This is laughable and is the greatest trap the devil can set for a Christian. Jesus said, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you”, knowing that, if you play with the devil in his territory, he will not only beat you hands down, but you might go so far down the dark tunnel that it will be impossible for you to come out. “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him. [Prov 23:20]”
Ephesians 5:18 AMP
If indeed we are a new creation and have been given a heart of flesh, then it is imperative that we resist with all we have, going back to our former selves and doing what felt right but was in fact enmity with GOD. “A little leaven [a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers] leavens the whole batch [it perverts the concept of faith and misleads the church].”
Galatians 5:9 AMP
The world is looking at us to save them by ministering the Word of GOD and bringing many into sonship. We must stay sober and vigilant at all times, and if there’s a need to be drunk, let us be drunk with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you”, knowing that, if you play with the devil in his territory, he will not only beat you hands down, but you might go so far down the dark tunnel that it will be impossible for you to come out.
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