Ephesians 2:10

Why do we have such a hard time living an overcoming life? We know from Ephesians 2:10 that we are created to do good works. Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (NKJV) We know that the only prayer request recorded from Jesus in the Bible is to send people into the harvest field. Luke 10:2 Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. (NKJV) We know that we have the power to do miraculous things in Jesus’ Name. John 14:12 "I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. (NKJV) So what's the problem?

For too many of us, its simply this; we have bought into satan’s lie that we cannot serve God or work for God if our life is not perfect. We think we will be a “hypocrite” if we spout all this stuff to other people and then go home and give in to our weakness. While I am not condoning sin, the fact of the matter is that every single one of us has one or more areas in our walk with God where we are weak. The “great” apostle Paul, (who by the way started his ministry by killing followers of Christ) put it this way: Romans 7:15 For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. 18 For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. 19 For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. (HCSB) John put it this way: 1 John 1:8&10 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (NKJV)

Now if Paul had given in to that attitude that he was not “good enough” to work for Jesus Christ, ¾ of the New Testament would not have been written and hundreds of churches would not have been started. If John had given into that attitude, we would not have had 5 books of the New Testament and would never have known what heaven will be like. But, the apostles knew one thing: Romans 8:1 Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, 2 because the Spirit's law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. (HCSB) God does not condemn us! When God chose you to come into the kingdom, he knew where you would struggle. It does not surprise Him when you are overtaken.

This is a fine line. Let me make it perfectly clear; God hates sin! It is not ok to simply say “This is the way I am” and leave it like that. We are to continually strive to become more Christ like. We should hate the sin in our lives and continue to work to remove it. We should be convicted by the Word of God and that should create a desire in us to change. (The difference between conviction and condemnation is this; conviction is the feeling that what you are doing is bad and needs to change. Condemnation is the feeling that who you are is bad and can’t change.)

However, we know that we can change. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV) All leaves nothing! Any behavior, any thought process, any destructive pattern in our life can be overcome! Here is the key: 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV) All we have to do is repent and have a desire for change! The most exciting thing about this is there is no limit to Gods mercies. Lamentations 3:21 This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. 22 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. (HCSB) Every time we ask for strength God will give it to us. Every morning, we start out with a clean slate and fresh mercies. This should make us leap and shout for joy!

My challenge for you this next year is twofold. First, identify one weakness in your life and truly work on overcoming it. If you feel comfortable, let at least one other person know what it is so that you will have a prayer partner for this. Second, make a commitment that you will not stop working for God even if you do not overcome this weakness just yet.

In His Service,
For His Glory,
Deborah