My child, whatever is good and true and uplifting, share that with others. When you come across something that encourages you, pass it along. Gifts are meant to be shared. Make sure your gift is not left unopened or not shared. Open your gift. Enjoy it and pass it along. In this you are accomplishing your calling. Never hoard your gifts. In so doing you lose them. The more you share, the more I will pour out to you. Be willing to give away everything I give you. Make room for more. There is abundance when you willingly share with others. 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Sin is a Symptom of a Serious Disease Within
It’s pretty common to think about sin merely as a response by our flesh to some outside stimulus. “I wanted it, so I did it!” But in reality sin is a symptom of a much more serious disease within. Sin is a barometer of the heart. It’s more than just actions; it’s rooted in our attitudes, intentions and motives. In thinking that sin stems primarily from our physical body, we’re led to treat the symptoms rather than focusing on the true source of the problem.
Sin is a heart problem rooted within the soul, so we need to start there. We know that our soul cannot change until it is influenced by a healthy spirit. And nothing happens until our spirit is first empowered by the life of God. But when it is, the soul, mind and body are all pushed automatically toward God’s purpose. This is the answer to the weakness of the flesh.
From Free from the Power of Sin: the Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself
Fruit
Oh hear My child, My bride, My chosen one. I the Lord will do a new thing. I will show you great and mighty things. I will perform miracles. See and hear My child. Come near and rest in Me. Come closer and dwell in My Presence. For as the branch cannot produce fruit unless it is attached to the vine, so you cannot bear fruit unless you are attached to Me. I produce the fruit. I cause the growth. Stay connected to Me and do not try to do anything in your own strength. This is rest. This is peace. Complete dependence on Me at all times.
Our Body of Sin is Done Away With
We deserved death for our sins. But Jesus was willing to go to the cross in our place. We generally understand what His sacrifice meant. But Romans 6:6 tells us a whole lot more: “our old self was crucified with Him so that our body of sin might be done away with, that we would no longer be slaves to sin.”
When Paul says that we are freed from sin, he uses a word meaning justified or made righteous. It can literally be translated: “For he who has died is acquitted from sin.” We all know what happens when someone is acquitted in a trial—he’s found not guilty! This is exactly what God did as Jesus took penalty for sin off our shoulders and laid it upon Himself. And because of it, experiencing God’s life consists of something a great deal more than merely being obligated to maintain sinless behavior now that we’re saved.
From Free from the Power of Sin: the Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself
Your Life is Temporary
My child, your life on earth is temporary. You are an alien and a stranger here on this earth. Your real home is with Me. I will direct your path while you sojourn here, but you are not to put your hopes and dreams here. They belong to Me. My work will appear to you, and I will have favor on you and confirm the work of your hands. Look to Me daily. I will lead you. Walk in My path. I have so much more for you than you could ever dream of. Moment by moment seek Me. I will reveal to you the work that I have for you to do and I will give you passion, joy and strength to do it. Delight yourself in Me My child and I will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to Me, trust in Me and I will do it. Psalm 90:16-17, Psalm 37:4-5
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Joined to Christ in His Death and Resurrection
Romans 6:4 says that baptism symbolizes our burial with Jesus—a sharing in Christ’s death in a way that allows us also to share in His resurrection life. It’s why we can now live life in a brand- new way. When we are born again, we become connected to Jesus in such a way that we are actually joined to Him. And having become united with Him, we now enjoy all the benefits accomplished on the cross—just as if we had suffered the punishment of death ourselves.
The punishment for sin is separation from God—spiritual death. But when Jesus died on that cross, He became the appeasing sacrifice for our sins. He actually stepped in and substituted Himself in our place. Jesus suffered the agony of separation from His Father so that we don’t have to. Baptism is a powerful symbol of that reality—joined to Christ, both in His death and in His resurrection.
From Free from the Power of Sin: the Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself
So Many Things
My child, listen to Me. In this world there are many choices and distractions. So many things clamoring for your attention. So many things to think about and to try and figure out. Only one thing is important. Come to Me, My child. Come and soak in My Presence. Abide in Me. In this world there is terror and destruction, pestilence and disease. But you My child, abide in My shelter, dwell under My shadow. I am your shield. So many look for answers outside of Me, but you are to remain in Me, steadfast, protected and in My care. You will experience peace that surpasses understanding. The cares of this world will not affect you. People will notice you are not affected by them and will want to know your secret. I am your secret. Lead them to Me, the only One who can bring comfort to this world that is so caught up in crisis and despair. Lead them to Me and I will bring rest to the weary. Psalm 91
Dealing with Sin in a Whole New Way
What is sin? I’ve often heard sin defined as missing the mark, as if one were missing a target he is aiming at. Those whose lives are centered on sin not only offend God, but utterly miss the precious gift of His eternal purpose. The Bible says that sin is lawlessness. And It makes perfectly clear what the sins of the flesh are—often warning that those corrupted by a lifestyle of sin have no inheritance in the kingdom of God.
But we see in Scripture conflicting opinions about what causes sin, and thus its remedy. The Jewish leaders viewed sin as being the product of a person’s outward behavior. So they attempted to manage sin through a system of rules which grew more and more burdensome as time went by. Jesus, on the other hand, realized that sin is rooted in man’s heart. God was about to deal with the problem of sin in a whole new way.
From Free from the Power of Sin: the Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself
Purity
My child, I am calling you to a greater degree of purity. You are My pure and spotless bride. Seek Me above all else. Do not run after the things of this world, they do not satisfy. You will find true fulfillment in Me alone. I am calling you to lead the way. Make the choice to follow Me with your whole heart and you will influence many to do the same. Never run with the crowd. My way may seem lonely at first but persevere. I am with you. Many will join you as you follow Me and obey Me. Keep seeking the things above and I will pour out My Holy Spirit on you and show you My glory. I love you My child with an everlasting love. Your Father who abides in you.
Dead to Sin? I don’t Feel Very Dead!
God has provided the remedy for all our sin—past, present and future. But even so, it’s obvious that He intends for us to be holy, and thus commands us not to sin. So how is it that He can overlook the sin that so easily flows from our nature? Even though we know that through grace God forgives our sin, we need a better understanding of Christ’s provision.
This is important, because a complete awareness of both our human condition and how we now relate to our Creator is the key to walking in the total freedom God always meant for us to experience. God forgives our sin through Christ as a free gift. Yet even more important to understand is that this free gift of forgiveness and righteousness is rooted in the fact that He has caused us to die to sin altogether. But just exactly what does dying to sin mean? I don’t feel very dead to sin!
From Free from the Power of Sin: the Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself