There is a war within our life: A healthy look at the thorny side of our life (17-19, 22)
"We have met the enemy...and he is us." - Pogo as he looks into the mirror
There is a reason for our thorn-filled life: An honest look at our hearts not satisfied. (18,22)
"We wants It, we needs It, must have the precious." - Gollum to Smeagol, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
But something more powerful goes on in our life: A hopeful look at our fruitful-bearing new life! (20-21,23-24)
"All the hope and promise of the gospel belongs to you. In Christ you have been made new. Because He loves you...He works in every situation to finish the transformation he has begun in our (new) hearts." Paul Tripp, How People Change
When you examine yourself in the war and you find yourself between the thorny nature and the new nature, trust that God is at work through th egospel to hlep you fight in the midst of the Heat, and He will enable you to produce good fruit of love, mercy, petience, self-control, kindness, compassion, and righteousness. Don't run from Jesus who is your Redeemer and Change Agent--run towards him, for he deeply cares and truly understands. He offers sustaining mercy and persistent grace in changes that need to take place in you. |
