If you don’t mind another week on the same topic, I thought I might continue contemplating the phrase “the sin which doth so easily beset us.” It sounds like a dark and odious topic, but it keeps coming back to my mind.
A Message from God
I think, when something persistently (but not aggressively) keeps circling back in our minds, it’s often a message from God.
As such, this can neither be a dark nor odious thing since God is purity, light, gentleness, truth, goodness, and peace.
It’s a Choice
Sometimes, when we struggle with something, it’s out of our control. Perhaps it’s sickness or spiritual oppression.
But, in my case, what I’m looking at can be summarized with one word: choice.
I’m not powerless over this nagging thing that still taps me on the shoulder from time to time.
It’s a choice. And pastor said something last Sunday that struck a chord: “Sometimes, we have to put our foot down.”
As he said those words, Brother Becker’s countless sermons on choosing to give our lives over to Christ joined in a chorus in my mind.
Out of This World and Into the Light
When I stepped out of this world and into the light, I had to shed a lot of behaviors: my language, my conversations, the garbage I watched on TV, the drinks I drank, the clothes I wore, the books I read.
Others would say I was doing nothing wrong; I wasn’t hurting anyone. I was a hard worker; I was a nice person.
But, actually, very little of what I was doing lined up with Scripture. Nowhere in the Bible does it say the pursuit of entertainment or self-contentment is correct.
Yet, this one sin persistently pops up, peers in through my closed blinds, and says, “Hey! It’s okay! Come back to me – just for an afternoon.”
Leave!
Well, I say, “No.” I’m not going to think about you anymore. I’m not going to wonder “what if” about you anymore. Leave!
Prayers That I Desperately Want Answered
It’s not just about me, either. Sure, I want to be right with God. But, I have a few specific prayers that I desperately want answered. I’d like to see my family in church; I’d like to have greater wisdom.
Characteristics of Answered Prayer
And, from what I can see, there are (at minimum) three characteristics of answered prayer: they’re effectual; they’re fervent; and they come from a righteous man (or woman).
What’s the point in praying if I’m knee deep in gossip, the trash on TV, or a glass of something or other?
At that point, the only prayer I can pray is a prayer of repentance. And I so want to move beyond that.
What do you say? Would you like to put your foot down, too? Would you like to join together in a chorus of praise, thanksgiving, and purposeful prayer? I say it’s time; I’ll see you down at the altar.
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect:
– Philippians 3:12
but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Calvary Apostolic Church 