What in the world keeps us going?

We started a new series on Sunday titled, "What in the world keeps us going?". The focus of our series is about righteousness; specifically our righteousness through faith in Christ.

The journey to grow in this understanding of righteousness begins by taking a look at what we currently use to keep us going. Paul says that "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come!" (2 Cor 5:17). So what in the world keeps you going? The world we are talking about is the old nature, your past. Are there things from your past, like hurts, judgments, fears, and lusts that still control or drive you today?

The joy that I foresee in this series is that many will begin to understand freedom like they've never known before. I'm excited!

So like any good adventure we must start off properly and with this adventure of righteousness and freedom I thought we'd go right after everyone's favorite topic: sin! If we want to walk in the righteousness of Christ and reign in life, then we must deal with the bondage of sin.

So, what is sin? According to 1 John 3:4-5 sin is lawlessness; literally meaning unrighteousness or rebellion. Jesus came to take away the sins of the world (Jn 1:29). So what is it that Jesus is taking away? The offense of our effort to do our will that causes us to miss the mark of His will and purposes. The term sin has its understanding in the archery world when the arrow "misses the mark". So when we take actions into our own hands and rebel against God's word, we miss the mark: we sin.

So, how does God deal with sin? Well, not like most of the world believes. God is in a good mood and if He wanted to He could of left mankind to just waste away in the separation of His glory. But He didn't leave us; He had mercy on us and extended to us His grace. Romans 5:18-21 states that through one man's sin (lawlessness) condemnation and judgment came to all men, but through one man's righteous act (Jesus) justification for life was come. God hates sin, yet God does not hate sinners. We must distinguish between the two if we are going to walk in His fullness.

Jesus came to save the world because of His love. He came to serve and be a ransom for our debt. (Jn 3:16-17, Mt 20:28)

So, how do we deal with sin? The same way God does. Love the sinner, hate the sin. Extend mercy and grace. Take the offer of redemption, thru Jesus Christ, and know that whom the Son sets free is free indeed. (Jn 8:34-36). No longer walk in the ways of sin, but by the Spirit of God. (Gal 5:16). We’ll get into this more in the coming weeks.

Here's a little tool I've come up with to help us deal with sin. I call it CPR for the spiritual heart. It's simple. C is for Confess your sins, P is for Pronounce the truth and repent, and R is for renounce the lies and spiritual ties that tempt us t sin. It's like closing the door to a path that doesn't glorify God.

For example: “Lord I confess that I’ve been caught up in fear regarding my finances. I know that you are my provider (pronounce truth and find a scripture) according to Philippians 4:19 I know you to be my God who will supply all my needs according to Your great riches in the glory by Jesus Christ. I turn toward you and trust that you will give me the strength and wisdom to pay all my bills and put food on the table. I renounce the lie and spirit of fear that I have believed and close the door to walking in that manner anymore. Amen.”

Remember it's not a formula, but a way to build relationship with God. Try it out and let the Holy Spirit lead you into the joy of knowing Christ and all that He has done for you, because He LOVES YOU!!!