7.22.10 "You Can't, Yet You Must!"

"You Can't, yet You Must!"

2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10
Romans 7:14-8:8
Psalm 18:1-15
Proverbs 19:24-25

Guess what? You can't keep from sinning. Period. There is nothing in your strength that can defeat sin's power over you. Yet you must.

Paul says it well in Romans 7:15 "I don't really understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can't."

Have you ever been there? are you there right now?

We need to keep a very important truth before us at ALL times: we NEED the power of the Holy Spirit!

As we mature in Christ there's a "by-product" of maturity we must guard against. It's an element of pride that sneaks in. We begin to think we can work in our own strength and our own understanding. We learn a spiritual principle, then walk away thinking, "OK, I got it." and we come back with a bloody nose. Why is that?

One of the main reasons is that we understand that knowing God's Commands is EXTREMELY important, but we many times forget that KNOWING isn't enough. We desperately need the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:3-4 says, "We aren't saved from sin's grasp by knowing the commandments of God, because we can't and don't keep them, but God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours - except that ours are sinful - and destroyed sin's control over us by giving himself as a sacrifice for our sins. So now we can obey God's laws if we follow after the Holy Spirit and no longer obey the old evil nature within us."

As humans mature, they become increasingly independent. Maturity in Christ IS our goal! We need to get the point that we are "no longer as infants tossed back and forth by every wind of doctrine." We need to get past the point of surviving only on spiritual milk. HOWEVER, we MUST realize that unlike our human maturity, Christian Maturity makes us MORE dependent on Christ.

Here's a good test for yourself. How well do you think you can do today without spending time with God? Your answer may be an indicator of your maturity. Will the mature answer be: I spent extra time with God yesterday... I know the word... I made it to church a couple days ago... Or will it be: I can't take another step without time with the Lord! Guess which one is a sign of maturity.

Now think about the sin that so easily entangles you. Are you wrestling with it in your own power, or have you given it to Christ? Sunday school answer is: I've given it to Christ. Well then why does it still entangle? The answer is: Because we walk in the flesh and not in the Spirit.

Try something today: Consciously walk in the power of the Spirit. When challenges or temptations come up, discipline yourself to not react in the flesh. Rest on the power of the Spirit, and see what happens.

"Those who let themselves be controlled by their lower natures live only to please themselves, but those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those things that please God. Following after the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace, but following after the old nature leads to death." Romans 8:5-6

There's a chorus that says: "Lord fill me with your power, your all consuming fire. Take this clay, mold me I pray, so I'll be ready, Lord. Prepare me today."

Guess what? You're gonna be tempted to sin again. And guess what? In your own strength, you can't keep from sinning. But here's the best part! The power of the Holy Spirit that has been given to you can keep you from sinning! Walk in THAT power!




Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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