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FIRST THINGS FIRST
February 21, 2010

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it".

Lent is a time of reflection.  How are we progressing in our walk?  Are we becoming effective and productive members of the body of Christ?  Are we overcoming our proclivity to sin or are we content with the age old excuse "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."

It may help in your quest to live lives worthy of your calling that we are called to take a stand against "sin" and make every effort to overcome.  The writer of Hebrews has these challenging words "In your struggle against sin you have not resisted to the point of shedding your blood." (Heb 12:4)

The joys of sin for a season seem pleasurable but always exact the same terrible wage in the end.  It may help to understand that when we get saved, our spirit has been transformed from death to life, but our soul (mind, will and emotions) are at the beginning of a life-long process of sanctification (i.e. being saved).

Being saved is a gift that we can't earn, it is a sovereign act of a merciful God.  The process of sanctification is also a gift but it is one that we get to participate in.  He gives us the ability to live out a life worthy of our calling.  In II Peter, we read, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness."  Now whether we appropriate it and act upon it is totally up to us.

A good Lenten discipline would be to get out your concordance or computer bible and read and meditate on all the "make every effort" found in the New Testament.  More often than not, the popular Christian's refrain "It's not about works, it's all grace" is nothing more than the words of one who would rather stay stuck in their "pet" sin than take a stand and fight the good fight with God's help.

Paul tells us the temptations (or tests) will come, but there really is nothing new under the sun and if we really want to cooperate with God and ask for his help every time, he is committed to providing an escape route so we don't have to fall and be debilitated by a less than stellar witness.

I leave you with the words of Peter who said "MAKE EVERY EFFORT" to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness;  and to brotherly kindness, love.  For IF you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (II Peter 1: 5-8)

St. Francis said: "It makes no sense to walk anywhere to preach if your walking doesn't preach".

YTAT.
Peace and Love,