As I began to learn about God as a new Christian, I saw that sin is a big issue for believers. The Bible has dozens of warnings about sin, most which point to my personal responsibility to say “no” to it. But saying “no” was the very thing I was having trouble with! The more I learned, the more confused I seemed to get. What really baffled me was Paul’s account of his own struggle with sin.

Yet why not be confused? Regarding human weakness, Paul said, “If I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.” What in the world did he mean by that? Could he actually be shirking off personal responsibility for sin? There’s no question that Paul recognized his duty to wrestle against his flesh in resisting sin. He’s not excusing sin, but rather trying to get to the root of the problem in the believer’s life. Shouldn’t we be doing the same?

My behavior was radically impacted when I was born again. But it wasn’t long before a difficult question confronted me: how do I remain strong in my commitment to live in a way that pleases God when Jesus Himself said, “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak?” Weak indeed! What’s this all about, I wondered? I knew I had been deeply transformed, so why would I have even a remote desire to return to things so destructive in my past?

It amazed me because I knew from experience that sin could never be a source of lasting joy. Yet I was willing to toy with it. Could I really be that stupid? And another issue bewildered me. Why was I now completely set free from some old habits while others sprang back with a vengeance? There they were! Needless to say, the shame that came along with falling into the same old sins was extremely discouraging. The Bible talks about struggling with the old man; for me it was the old Dan!

From Free from the Power of Sin: the Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself

Pride is instinctive to human nature. So boasting, no matter how we may attempt to disguise it, flows from our core as effortlessly as breathing. We simply need to express who we are and what we’ve accomplished—“wise, strong or rich,” as the Lord explains in Jeremiah 9:23,24. Still, there seems to be a place for boasting. God goes on to say: “let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.

The key here is to redirect the glory away from ourselves and on to God. Paul makes it all very clear in 2 Corinthians 11 &12, “If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.”  “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness,” the Lord Jesus proclaims.

What if you were invited to a party of a lifetime, so lavish, so impressive, that everyone who knew you would be green with envy? Why him? What did he do to deserve such an honor?

Maybe you have been asked, but just don’t know it! The truth is, a priceless invitation has delivered by God Himself, not just to you but everyone on earth. Invited to what? To an eternity united with God for an indescribable life you never dreamed possible: the party of all parties!

Yes, whether you are aware of it or not, you’ve been invited. The question is, “Who’s listening?” Are you among those who genuinely seek the truth? And if so, are you asking the right questions? Just what is required of me to be included with those who will enjoy eternity in heaven? Jesus said it best in the Bible: “Many are called, but few are chosen.”

Intimacy is what God is really after. We can busy ourselves with all kinds of things in our effort to please God, but if it doesn’t first begin with a meaningful personal interaction with Him, all our serving can end up in vain. While Martha busied herself with serving Jesus, Mary sat at His feet. When Martha complained, Jesus said, “…you are worried about so many things; but only one thing is necessary…Mary has chosen the good part” (Luke 10:41-42).

            The woman at the well questioned where people ought to worship—Samaria or Jerusalem. Jesus got right to the point: “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers” (John 4:23). What does it mean to worship God this way? He asks us to pursue relationship by being what He wants, not simply by doing stuff. Genuine worship begins with getting our priorities straight.

Images! Images! A scenic cityscape can be photographed in just the right light, enticing us to experience it first-hand. But what’s never portrayed is the crowding, smut and evil within it. The advertising world is extremely skilled at toying with our emotions. They simply project a series of images before us, whether they be pictures or brief videos—all those smiling faces leading us to believe that happiness is just around the corner if only we will try their product.

The constant bombardment of images seriously impacts our lives. It’s only natural to believe what we see and automatically incorporate it into our beliefs. This system is very powerful and thus takes real wisdom not to be captured by its deception. The Bible warns: “Look not at the worldly things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen… for the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Jesus promised that His Father would send His followers the Holy Spirit once He left the earth: “He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; …He abides with you and will be in you” (John 14:16). The Bible proclaims that we are, “sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:13-14). What does it actually mean to have the Holy Spirit living within us?

Just imagine it! The Holy Spirit is a Person, a divine member of the Godhead. And God has given Him to us. He is always there, “guiding us into all truth” and comforting us” (John 16:13), at the very core of our being. We need to fully appreciate this precious gift God has bestowed on us. He always glorifies Jesus and will be our constant companion. Our part is to continuously pursue intimacy with Him.

Jeremiah 6:16 proclaims, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Have you chosen God’s path? Great! But there’s a fork in the trail which demands another decision. One results in a leisurely walk along a gently flowing stream. The other takes you straight up into the high country.

The easy path is pleasant and needs little attention. The higher road is rigorous and requires time, perseverance and vigilance. The temptation is always there to choose the meandering path along the river. But God’s has an even better way! Those who take the high road experience vistas that are impossible without His direction—not to mention exceptionally rich eternal rewards. Paul says, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

Psalm 84 declares: “The Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Paul goes even a step further: “God causes all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” So, what’s God up to when everything seems to be going haywire in life? As difficult as it may be to believe, He’s up to good.

Jesus sees the big pig picture. He knows what you truly need. He allows suffering in your life so that you might grow into the child of God He designed from the very beginning—one who is bent on pursuing Him with all your heart rather than chasing your own desires. Jesus came that we might be conformed to His very own image. We are His children, and we need His discipline to experience His finest.

The Bible describes our place in Christ’s body like being that of our own body—an eye or a hand, for example. The idea is how crucial it is to function together as a whole. But what if we change the perspective a little? Think about reducing yourself to the level of a cell. Immediately your sense of self-importance diminishes a bit, doesn’t it.

Yet consider how vital each cell is to a healthy organism. If that cell dies or becomes malignant it ceases to be useful, or may even become destructive. So it is with us as members of the body of Christ. Though you may not think of yourself as much, you are essential to the wellbeing of the whole. How could the eye or the hand even exist without all those cells working together? Every component is critical. Where would Christ’s church be without a healthy and vibrant you?