I do not disagree with anything in this essay. But the foundation of all of that is the indwelling Spirit of God. When truly born again, the Spirit comes into you, you change in spite of yourself. I was a PK, raised in a pastor's home. Believed I was a Christian, though I had doubts and was living a very marginal Christian life. Doing what I thought was really right in the eyes of God "out there" somewhere. But when embroiled in something I could not manage, I prayed the prayer with the goofy plastic-looking preacher on TV, just because nothing else was working out, in a sense saying, "If you are really real, change me," and thought nothing had really changed. But the Lord took away my thirst for booze, my interest in the occult, my lust and resentments of others, and I realized I had a thirst for the "boring" Bible, burned my books on mysticism and psychic phenomenon, felt bad when I looked with lust or lashed out in anger. I did all that and more not because I felt I should, or was following some pastor's plan, but because I now wanted to. Growing closer to God was not a desire but an inner drive. Yes, all of the works mentioned here are good things to do, and will have positive results. but reliance on God the Holy Spirit isn't just one thing among the many things to try, but THE thing. The first thing. Seek the Lord with all your heart, and He will come to really live in you. And then it becomes natural, not work, to pray continually, repent every time you realize you have slipped and sinned, accept The LORD's forgiveness without self-condemnation, ask for His help in dealing with, in overcoming, besetting sin. He will empower you to love and serve Him, to hunger for His Word and give you grace to fail and to rise to persevere.
Amazing how I'm trying to do just that. I've had a horrible time with the effects of hyperthyroidism and came to a realization that physically I may not be able to change but with the help of God's grace and Holy Spirit I can do it 🙏 Amen And my new husband is also coming to the understanding that his part of our marriage is helping too ❤️ working together ❤️ not separate. Thank You Father God Amen 🙏
Excellent and God honoring.
Yes! -This work is never by ourselves.
I do not disagree with anything in this essay. But the foundation of all of that is the indwelling Spirit of God. When truly born again, the Spirit comes into you, you change in spite of yourself. I was a PK, raised in a pastor's home. Believed I was a Christian, though I had doubts and was living a very marginal Christian life. Doing what I thought was really right in the eyes of God "out there" somewhere. But when embroiled in something I could not manage, I prayed the prayer with the goofy plastic-looking preacher on TV, just because nothing else was working out, in a sense saying, "If you are really real, change me," and thought nothing had really changed. But the Lord took away my thirst for booze, my interest in the occult, my lust and resentments of others, and I realized I had a thirst for the "boring" Bible, burned my books on mysticism and psychic phenomenon, felt bad when I looked with lust or lashed out in anger. I did all that and more not because I felt I should, or was following some pastor's plan, but because I now wanted to. Growing closer to God was not a desire but an inner drive. Yes, all of the works mentioned here are good things to do, and will have positive results. but reliance on God the Holy Spirit isn't just one thing among the many things to try, but THE thing. The first thing. Seek the Lord with all your heart, and He will come to really live in you. And then it becomes natural, not work, to pray continually, repent every time you realize you have slipped and sinned, accept The LORD's forgiveness without self-condemnation, ask for His help in dealing with, in overcoming, besetting sin. He will empower you to love and serve Him, to hunger for His Word and give you grace to fail and to rise to persevere.
Very true. You have a great testimony!
The Spirit does all the work, I apologize if that wasn’t clear. Thanks for emphasizing that!
Amazing how I'm trying to do just that. I've had a horrible time with the effects of hyperthyroidism and came to a realization that physically I may not be able to change but with the help of God's grace and Holy Spirit I can do it 🙏 Amen And my new husband is also coming to the understanding that his part of our marriage is helping too ❤️ working together ❤️ not separate. Thank You Father God Amen 🙏