Grace vs. Flesh

"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry 'Abba' Father. The spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory." Romans 8:15-17

Is the promise of eternity with God enough to cause you to desire Him only? Or are you still pulled in other directions away from God? Many things pull us away from God: material things, selfishness, instant gratification, the desire to do what you want, being tired of always having to be good...the list goes on.

But all that stuff is meaningless! It is not eternal! It is fleeting and often leaves one feeling empty and lifeless. Why then do we we long for these things that pull us away? Why is it so hard to resist instant gratification when we know that it is not everlasting...that is is momentary? Why do our reason and intellect often get outweighed by emotional irrationality? Why can't we just do what we know is right? Why do we always want more...or just something different?

THE CURSE OF OUR FLESH!

It is because we do not live only in the spirit that we must fight against the desires of our flesh. But we must keep fighting! Our inheritance with Jesus is worth the fight! Don't give in to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that Christ may be exalted forever! We need to keep fighting against what we know is meaningless and hold on to GRACE. Grace is accepting that we can never do anything to earn the sacrifice Jesus made out of perfect love. It is accepting our weakness and relying on God's power and freedom to live a life worthy of Him. Without his strength and love, I am nothing.

It is not about becoming satisfied with our identity as Christ followers...its about finding JOY and a true passion and desire to live the life God has set out at the beginning of time. We can't just be satisfied...we need to be propelled by the love and grace God gives us everyday. It is about living out faith in real and tangible ways...about being true examples of our Father in heaven so that He may be exalted and others may come to know His powerfully redemptive love. Is the promise of eternity with God enough? Will we choose to live today with joy, with passion...to bring the creator glory, honor and praise? This is the choice that faces us everyday.