The question I kept asking myself was why it was so easy to fall into the same things that have beset me for such a long time. Why is it so hard to choose righteousness? If sin were a swimming pool, it seems like I am never quite finished drying out in the sun when I end up falling back in. "Why?", I asked.
Then I drove up on this scene and the Lord began to teach me.
Could it be that the reason you keep falling into it is because you keep dragging it around with you? (ouch, Jesus.) Sure it looks all nice a tidy, but you and I know what is in all those containers. If you were to unhitch the trailer that you are hauling around with you, you would have much more liberty to choose righteousness. You can't pull two trailers at once. You need to cast off that one that is hindering you and put on the new one. The neat thing is, David, is that the trailer of righteousness actually propels you down the road. You don't have to pull it around, it carries you. In order to choose the righteousness that I have provided for you, you will need to let go of the weight of sin and shame. Snake handlers have a tendency to get bit. People who don't get in the swamp are immune to alligator attacks. People who don't skydive never have to worry about their chute not opening. Those children of mine who decide to stop pulling their sin around with them are completely free to choose righteousness without any conflict of choice.
Don't you think it would be easier to do the right thing if you were to let go of the things that hinder you, David? Don't you think that it would be easier to obey me if you were not so focused on loving yourself? Don't you think it would be easier to walk in the truth if you stopped listening to the lies. You are worthy because I payed the price of my life for you. You are righteous because I handed my own righteousness over to you in exchange for your sin. You are beloved, and that is even what your name means, because you belong to me and I am dwelling inside you. You are holy because I have set you apart for me and no other. The lies would tell you the opposite of all I have just declared about you. They would say that you are not worth what I payed and what would that say about my wisdom. Am I a fool that i would pay too much? No, I payed what it took to redeem my children. The lies would say that you are not righteous because you are carrying the shame and the guilt of your sin around with you wherever you go. What would that say about my righteousness? Did I fall short of pleasing my Father? No, He told Me that He was "Well pleased" with Me. That was the righteousness I gave to you. The lies would say that you are not beloved, but simply tolerated by God. No! I chose you! I did not merely allow you to come into a relationship with Me because I'm nice. I went out of my way to come a lure you into my arms. I have worked tirelessly to woo you into my presence and break down your resistance to my perfect love for you. I wanted you, that is what the truth is. I'm not just putting up with you, I anticipate every moment we spend together with such excitement and joy that I can't contain Myself. I love you, David; I always have and I always will."
Now, only Jesus could tear me down and build me right back up to be stronger than I was to begin with. My encouragement to you; stop pulling around those things that hinder you. Got bitterness in some relationship? Go fix it. Got anger toward someone who abuses you? Let it go. Got fear over what you can't control? Let God's perfect love cast it out. Got anxiety over poor decisions that keeps you from making future ones? Forget your mistakes and ask God for wisdom as you move forward.
Get rid of the port-a-potty trailer and exchange it for the rocket sled of God's grace.
Bless you all, Dave
Wow dave!!...Totally moved me,i guess i had never thought of some things in my life this way....THANK YOU!
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