Article derived from "Shirley's
Diary 11th November 10"
In the last few months I have found
that standing on the word that "Its not what we do but
what He did" has brought me into more blessings than
all the years of striving to get things done, put together.
Last night with J and W, we were discussing
about sin, grace, blessings and cursings. I said that I would
like to understand how it is that we can know and declare
that Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the Law so that
we can have all the blessings and none of the curses, and
yet, when we are
tempted to believe and react to the enemy's lies
we can lose out on things. I needed to understand this.
Today as I was driving home,
Wynne and I started talking about how God will not impute
sin and we are justified as if we have never sinned. I saw
that we are to look at others as though they have never sinned
too. However that does not mean that we can trust everyone
because there are levels of trustworthiness we have to reach
to qualify for certain jobs.
For instance, say if someone in a church, work or family setting,
keeps falling into alcoholism etc. and is not faithful in
his dealings with others, Yes! we can look at them as though
they are truly forgiven and new creations, and love them,
dealing with them mercifully in their weakness as we would
our own children. However, when it comes to giving them responsible
jobs, they wouldn't be able
to handle the responsibility, unless they repent and show
themselves faithful. That's how God deals with His children.
If we suffer with Christ we will rule with him. If we overcome
we will inherit all things.
"All things" is something we come into as we overcome.
There is a suffering that comes as we deny ourselves, pick
up our cross and follow Jesus.
How do we overcome? - by our
faith!
Sin's root is always disbelief,
so we need to stand on God's word to help us keep us from
sinning. "All is well" in the kingdom. We get in
trouble when we start doubting God's provision. As we enter
into the rest of believing God's word we find that our vessels
are kept clean, automatically, and we are free to get on and
do God's will in our lives. When we exchange the darkness
of our old way of thinking and renew our mind by the washing
of the word of God and walking in the light of it . the joy,
peace, love of the Holy Spirit can pour through us. We need
to guard our hearts and minds with all diligence so we do
not become bunged up with all the doubt and discouragement
that listening to the enemy brings..
There are time's when a temptation
is so strong? The flesh is enmity against God and we always
battle with it. In my experience as I endure and struggle
on standing and standing and standing some more, on the word
of God, walking in the Spirit (Walk in the Spirit and you
won't fulfil the lusts of the flesh) I come into greater strength.
As James says in James 1 2-4
Consider
it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face
trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of
your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish
its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking
anything.
