Something awesome about being a Christian is that I can do home and watch as much porn as I want. I can drink as much alcohol as I want! Wait, are you confused? Is this some grace-type post? Nope! It's even better.
The Psalmist pleaded, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me!" (51:10) So beautifully, God promised in Ezekiel, "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (36:26)
That new heart is invaluable. 20 years after starting in AA, an alcoholic will introduce himself as still being an alcoholic—the desire is still there. As Christians, God's power can change our very desires, if we embrace it. We can go home and think, "There is no way that I'd want to drink. There's no way I'd want to ever watch porn!" Our heart can feel sick at the very thought. And that is a huge blessing.
"For the entire Law is fulfilled in in this one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."—Gal 5:14
Filtering by Category: How to Grow Spiritually
"See the young man sittin' in the old man's bar, waitin' for his turn to die."
"See the young man sittin' in the old man's bar, waitin' for his turn to die." That's a line from the Goo Goo Dolls' song, "Broadway," and I think it's ultimately tragic, because it's ultimately true. Millions and millions are living their lives with just one ultimate goal: death, decay; dust. It is sadly true when God says,
"For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun." (Eccl 9:5-6)
As Christians, we need to see the plight of those who, though they are sad for the moment in grief over a lost loved one, or happy drinking and partying with friends, are really simply waiting for their turn to die. We need to get out of our comfort zones and show them the spiritual reality behind this physical facade because, "the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Cor 1:18)
Having a hard time growing spiritually?
Let's talk about your love language. You became a Christian...but...you keep going back to the same behaviors. Your life isn't changing like you expected. You're the same person. Your drinking, lying, all the old self—it's still there! The new creation that God says has come seems missing in action. But have you learned a new language?
The best way to learn a new language is to be immersed in it, to have it around you all the time. Many people become Christians, but then they keep all their old friends and habits. Their friends are still out drinking, so they stick with that environment. Early Christians were successful in seeing the new creation because they lived it—with each other. They learned a new language by cultural immersion. If you're having trouble, follow this example:
"Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart." (Acts 2:46)