A life lived for Christ is one lived in obedience and submission to His will for our life. That was easy enough to type but hard at times to actually live. Paul says, “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do this I keep on doing.” (Romans 7:18-19 NIV)
When we can actually get to a point that we stop trying to please others and start being honest with ourselves is when we can obtain the help needed. We have to be truthful with who we really are on the inward parts. We all struggle with something that at anytime can become a stumbling block to us living a life free in Christ. The Bible says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelation 12:11)
We must boldly declare the Gospel and boldly declare that at times we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. How else do we shame the devil other than speak about how we over came our short comings. Paul says, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:24-25 KJV)
Even when it hurts we must not present ourselves as being perfect but we must present a perfect God who uses those who are anything but perfect. Not exploiting grace as a means to willfully sin but as a means to strive for perfection which is in Christ Jesus. God told Abraham, “walk before me, and be thou perfect. (Genesis 17:1)” The word perfect translates to another word meaning to be absolute ( in your heart in loving God.) Meaning have a heart that will choose God above all else even when you fall. Proverbs says, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: (Proverbs 24:16 KJV)” Grace picks us up and causes us to see our sin, repent and turn from that which tries to keep us hostage.
What makes any one a hypocrite is when they teach one thing yet turn around living another lifestyle. Most people who live like this are the ones who are the biggest condemners of other people who speak on their truth. For instance people are most talked about when they get on Facebook and speak their truth of how they over came a thing. I am not talking about those who get on there and tell all their business and everybody else’s in the midst of them needing to be healed. I am talking about those who talk about how they were hurt in a marriage, the wrong they did, how they learned to forgive themselves and the ex, and how God restored or is restoring them. This presents a perfect picture of Gods redeeming love.
God doesn’t discard us because of our imperfections and if we presented that to a lost and dying world we may win more souls for Christ instead of turning souls over to the enemy. It is not an easy task to be transparent and often times it may hurt to tell how you backslide or you gave in to your flesh but even in the midst of that God is making you a city that people will run to for refuge. This cross that you carry is not for you. The things we go through in life works out for the good. I promise you. Don’t be ashamed of what you did and how God had to come and bring you out. Glory in your weakness because when we are weak God is made strong and gets the glory our of our lives.
No Apologies Here 