Galatians 6:3 (AMP) For if any person thinks himself to be somebody [too important to condescend to shoulder another's load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own estimation], he deceives and deludes and cheats himself.
Proverbs 16:2 (AMP)All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart).
How do you know you can never commit the above acts? If one states they can never commit or be in such a situation, then one is on a road of deception and pride. If a person knows for himself that he/she can never leave their children or fail God, then that person is standing on their own strength. Then that person is standing on his/her own wisdom and knowledge. Then that person is standing on his/her own abilities. Then that person is standing on PRIDE. Such a person is really saying that he/she does not need to FULLY Surrender to God because one is god.
Romans 12:3 (AMP) For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.
How many of those who are reading this message have ever said to yourself, "I have a great family. We will be together forever!" How many have said this to themselves and now are in despair? Statistically, they say that the Christians in America have a higher divorce rate than the unbelievers. How many Christians have said to their children that they will never leave them but now they are worlds apart? How many Christians have told God that they would serve HIM with ALL their hearts but many have now lost their First Love and Presence with HIM because they had chosen to SIN.
Proverbs 3:5 (AMP) Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
Am I bringing this up to put salt on peoples' wounds? Absolutely NOT! Am I bringing this up to condemn anyone? Absolutely NOT! However, I am bringing this up so we can be properly discipled to know His Truth. You see, we as humans or Christians can NEVER do anything on our own. If we attempt to do anything on our own through our own strength, wisdom, and knowledge, then we will fail. If we attempt to do any and all on our own, we only do so from a position of pride. Pride states one can make it on their own without any help. Pride states it the other person's fault or doing for their difficult situation or circumstances. Humility states that we cannot do it on our own. Humility states we need a Savior and a Deliverer. Humility states we cannot trust ourselves. Humility states I FULLY SURRENDER. I am dead! Christ lives in me! No longer my will but YOURS!
Galatians 2:20 (AMP) I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Therefore, if we say we truly "BELIEVE" then we must cling on to Jesus for dear life. We must cling on to HIM with a grip desperate to live. We must be persistent on knocking and seeking the answers from HIM. If we fail in anything, it is because we had attempted to sustain it with our own will and strength. Can anything that is sustained by the Power of God fail?
If God's people can understand that we all have the ability to become deceived, become corrupted, and fall away, then many of us instead of walking in lofty pride may humble ourselves and would cling on to HIM for dear life. If God's people in the past had failed and if God's people in the past had betrayed and/or forsook HIM, are we too ignorant to think we cannot not? History has been repeating itself from the beginning of time.
When I first got married, I was a religious backslidden ignorant prideful Christian who was just coming back to Christ. At that time, I remember saying to myself that I would never cheat on my wife. But when the circumstances brewed properly to trap me only a few years ago, I had fallen. I had relied on myself and my own abilities.The enemy does not come to give you an academic multiple choice test. The devil comes to put salt on our misery in which we create through our sins so we can become angry at everyone and everything including God. When we become angry at everything and everyone, then we will fall because we will not care anymore. However, it was the choice to forgive by my spouse that broke the chain and brought the POWER OF GOD for restoration to bear fruit. Evil can be overcome with Good. It is difficult? It is probably more painful than pulling teeth without anesthetics but if we obey God and choose His way, healing, restoration, and life abundant is available but only through HIM.
Romans 12:21 (AMP) Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good.
If we know we can fall away, become corrupted, or become deceived, then would we be wise to know that we cannot rely on ourselves or trust in our own abilities? All of our marriages, our families, our provisions, our ministries, our lives must be TOTALLY DEPENDENT on HIM to survive. He is the LIVING WORD and it is HIS Word that brings Life. In order for us to sustain Life we must continue to abide in HIM and we only continue to Abide in HIM when His Word is in us. We cannot bear fruit on our own.
John 15:4-8 (AMP) Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.6 If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.8 When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine.
When we first come to accept and believe in Jesus, it is not to acknowledge His existence. It is to come into FULL REPENTANCE of our lives, submitting to His Lordship, picking up our own crosses, throwing and forsaking our lives and our dependence on ourselves and from the world, walking in self denial, and Abiding in HIM. The Road is narrow and many will try to enter but not make it. Are we so prideful to think this is a cakewalk when Scripture says otherwise? You must ask the Lord to help you so we do not become corrupted, deceived, or fall away.
1 Corinthians 10:12 (AMP) Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin].
Fire of God
Steve Yong Kim
April 19, 2012
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