And the Oscar for best actor or actress in a Christian life goes to .... you and me. Let's face it, if we are honest almost all of us would have to admit there have been times in our Christian walk where we "fake" it. Where we attempt to act like we are living a vibrant, victorious Christian life and we really aren't. We look good at church or around our Christian friends but it's all show. We're different people when we are at home alone or with non-Christians. By the way, the word translated in Scripture as "hypocrite" could be translated as "actor".
Do you know what that means? That means the world is completely justified when they accuse the church of being full of hypocrites. Do you know what else? It means many people are turned off by the message of Jesus Christ because we live that way. That's a horrible thing.
God's plan for victorious living doesn't include acting or faking holiness. It is a plan to bring about real holiness and part of that process is taking our wants and desires and nailing them to the cross. Paul wrote in Romans 8:13: For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."
We can't continue to just cover up the deeds of the flesh and act like they aren't there, because they are and they will continue to bring you down. They must be put to death. But how?
There are several ways that won't work. First, there is no "crisis-moment" where we are immediately free from the desires of the flesh. That is, there is not an experience we can have or manifestation of God's power that will cause us to never have another fleshly thought.
Second, we can't just "let God take over" and remain idle. We are instructed to put them to death and that tells us we need to have an active part. But, you'll notice the verse says "by the Spirit" meaning we don't have the strength ourselves to stand in the battle. We need to take the desires and deeds to God and let him cleanse us. Man-made systems and rules of works to eliminate sin just don't work.
Third, this is not a one time decision. The bad news for us is the battle is continual, it's an every day war. The war does not ever end until we are home with the Lord. The devil, our own flesh and the world will continue their relentless efforts to drive us away from God and satisfy themselves. And, because the flesh is such a big part of it, there's no escaping it. We must fight. The good news is God's mercies are new every day. He will never leave us nor forsake us and he has promised to equip us with everything we need to fight and win today's battle.
Remember from the gospels the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector who were praying? The Pharisee believed himself to have it all together and acted holy and righteous. The tax collector just cried out "Lord have mercy on me for I am a sinner" because he understood his sinfulness and wretched condition. He was the one who went away justified. Don't try to fake it with God and act like you aren't tempted or capable of sinning. Tell Him what you are really thinking and feeling as you bring those things to the cross. Fight today's battle and don't worry about tomorrow's ... it's there waiting for you. But with God on your side, who can be against you?
Do you know what that means? That means the world is completely justified when they accuse the church of being full of hypocrites. Do you know what else? It means many people are turned off by the message of Jesus Christ because we live that way. That's a horrible thing.
God's plan for victorious living doesn't include acting or faking holiness. It is a plan to bring about real holiness and part of that process is taking our wants and desires and nailing them to the cross. Paul wrote in Romans 8:13: For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."
We can't continue to just cover up the deeds of the flesh and act like they aren't there, because they are and they will continue to bring you down. They must be put to death. But how?
There are several ways that won't work. First, there is no "crisis-moment" where we are immediately free from the desires of the flesh. That is, there is not an experience we can have or manifestation of God's power that will cause us to never have another fleshly thought.
Second, we can't just "let God take over" and remain idle. We are instructed to put them to death and that tells us we need to have an active part. But, you'll notice the verse says "by the Spirit" meaning we don't have the strength ourselves to stand in the battle. We need to take the desires and deeds to God and let him cleanse us. Man-made systems and rules of works to eliminate sin just don't work.
Third, this is not a one time decision. The bad news for us is the battle is continual, it's an every day war. The war does not ever end until we are home with the Lord. The devil, our own flesh and the world will continue their relentless efforts to drive us away from God and satisfy themselves. And, because the flesh is such a big part of it, there's no escaping it. We must fight. The good news is God's mercies are new every day. He will never leave us nor forsake us and he has promised to equip us with everything we need to fight and win today's battle.
Remember from the gospels the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector who were praying? The Pharisee believed himself to have it all together and acted holy and righteous. The tax collector just cried out "Lord have mercy on me for I am a sinner" because he understood his sinfulness and wretched condition. He was the one who went away justified. Don't try to fake it with God and act like you aren't tempted or capable of sinning. Tell Him what you are really thinking and feeling as you bring those things to the cross. Fight today's battle and don't worry about tomorrow's ... it's there waiting for you. But with God on your side, who can be against you?
Copyright © 2006 Greg Holl. All rights reserved.
