Subject: What is God's part in my santification?. |
Bible Note: Pam I have to be very careful not to start anything with Joe. Let me say I basically agree with what Joe said, however I think we play a bigger part in the process than possibly Joe does. I think we have to make some willful decisions to crucify the flesh. The Holy Spirit gives us the conviction and strength to do it but we still have to kick the junk out of our lives. I once smoked and prayed that God would remove that from me. One night very late I was wakened out of a sound sleep with the deep conviction I was to quit smoking. I woke my wife and we prayed together. That morning I left my cigarettes home. By the time I got to work I was climbing the walls, I bummed a cigarette but found it very unsatisfying, I contributed the problem to not being my brand of smokes. Later my buddy came in that smoked the same brand I did so I bummed one from him, again the taste just wasn’t there. I had to make a decision keep smoking I’m sure the taste would have come back or not to smoke at all. I choose not and haven’t smoked in about 25 years. I still like to drive fast and in a way that is sinning, my nature enjoys the thrill of speed yet my mind tells me it is wrong, dangerous, putting my brothers in danger, breaking man’s law and etc. I have to make a decision to speed or not. A pretty woman catches my eye, I have to make a decision to follow through and let myself entertain a fantasy or to get my mind to a higher level get my mind on something else. It is a day to day process that goes on within each of us. Each day we must decide to serve God or our flesh. I hope this helps. EdB |