Try It, You'll Like It!!!!!

[missjenny]

We actually could go on and on and on and on about all the rules, restraints or disciplines we could make and put on ourselves to deal with the besetting sins in our lives..huh? Yes? I do understand the concern of many, as it seems right and reasonable to make more rules in order to lessen the sin in our lives....however, making more rules does not help....as the bible says that rules just show us that we are sinners, but they DON'T help overcome sin.

Col. 2:23 >> Rules and bodily disciplines do not affect the inner person, or do the trick in lessening sin.

However, in Gal. 5:16-26 it tells us how to overcome the flesh without having to try over and over again to obey the rules...which, I know sounds really foreign to our carnal natures. BUT in doing this we are kept out of that vicious circle of trying to tame the flesh, because the flesh cannot consistantly obey a perfect law, and so life becomes erratic or like a roller-coaster of defeat and constant wrestling with the flesh.

So, what we do in a nut shell is follow the lead of the Spirit! >>> So, essentially, when you are focused on agape-loving those around you in your daily life, then you naturally won't be deliberately doing harmful things to those around you in your daily life. When you are focused on peacemaking in your daily life, then you naturally won't be doing violent things in your daily life...and etc.....

Agape love contains no deliberate harm...so, as you walk in it, abide in it, you will learn to make this a way of life and the flesh will have to cooperate...as light over-powers the darkness. Sinful deeds (self-focused) cannot be active in an atmosphere of loving (other-focused).

Romans 8:13 "If by the power of the Holy Spirit you put to death the deeds of the sinful nature, you will live." Darkness is put to death by the light. >> Setting out to love others drowns out the desire to harm them.

Eph.5:9 "For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true."

Eph.4:15 "Instead we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more like Christ."

I see that it is scriptural that if we are busy doing the do's (loving, peacemaking,and etc.) then we will NOT be doing the don'ts...this is why "love completely fulfills the intent of law".

Becoming more and more like Christ is becoming less and less like the flesh.

Loving your neighbor sets you free! Love affects both the lover and the lovee!!

Try it, you'll like it!!

Edited May 30, 2010 by missjenny

[Openly Curious]

Hello

Please take no offense but could you paraphrase your post for me. For some reason I'm just not getting a hold of what the message is that you are trying to say thanks

[missjenny]

Hello

Please take no offense but could you paraphrase your post for me. For some reason I'm just not getting a hold of what the message is that you are trying to say thanks

well...I do know that there are Christians who are worried about sinning and how to deal with sin and the flesh's tendencies...so, in a nut shell I guess, it is to focus on walking and being led daily by the Holy Spirit, and in doing so, one's flesh will begin to cooperate. Gal.5:16-17

Edited May 30, 2010 by missjenny

[Fraught]

well said, missjenny. focusing on the love and the truth. it goes a long way.

[enoob57]

Rom 8:1-4

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

NKJV

Gal 5:16-18

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

NKJV

Gal 5:22-26

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

NKJV

1 Cor 13:1-3

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

NKJV

Thank you for the beautiful path of life, for the feet unworthy to trod it, for family who eloquently remind us! Love Steven

[Guest real truth]

Ya.. when we follow after Jesus and obey His commands.. this isn't a yoke of bondage thing where if we don't follow the commands we are doomed to hell.. it is following Jesus, obeying Him because He first undid the consequences of sin in terms of eternal damnation for us.

So we serve Jesus because He first loved us.. not because we have to or are bound by the law to do so.

I'ts like Jesus saying.. I have set you free from the consequence of breaking the laws.. but if you keep to these boundaries I will love you, and you will love me more greatly.

Like someone rescuing you from drowning or death.. naturally you would be very thankful back to them.

So we follow Jesus and love Him not because if we don we are doomed, but if we do we enjoy the full fruits of christianity and not just a half job.

[missjenny]

Amen everyone, thank you for your input!! I always love to hear others bent on a subject and scripture, as it helps greatly in my growth!!!

missj

[Guest lovinghim4ever]

Jesus loves us ALWAYS; for nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39).

However, in that love is consequences and discipline if we don't keep His commandments.

[Thankful 1]

(Galatians 5:16)

[OneLight]

(Galatians 5:16)