Deliberate holiness

“Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Deliberate holiness

There is great advantage in weakness and fatigue that comes with the ongoing encroaching of disability. One is caught up and consumed in the day to day conduct of life, thinking little of the fringe aspects that include the pursuit of fleshly pleasure.

Sinful thoughts are always near, even so, for the playground that is human mind, for we have not yet tasted the the glory to come. But the follower of Jesus does have some advantage, for if we are born again, we have received a foretaste of that glory, as the Holy Spirit has come to dwell in us.

With that presence of the Lord, and with the word of God given us, we have a chance to resist the draw of sin, which is persistent and unyielding. But even with such power hidden in human flesh, and the power of Scripture before us, we are not guaranteed success in walking day by day in the Spirit of the Lord.

Reading Psalm one hundred nineteen and verse eleven was a stark reminder for me this morning. As I read the verse, I was struck by the word “might”. It was both a reminder for my future caution and daily conviction, for even though I have walked with the Lord for many years, I still struggle from time to time and the word “might”, stands as the truth in my daily walk with Christ.

Because of this, I strive daily to seek after deliberate holiness, seeking to daily work out my salvation with fear and trembling.

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:12-13 NKJV

Paul was not implying one gains salvation, ergo justification, by that work, but that one gains sanctification, the salvation from ongoing sin. It is in that work, the daily pursuit of holiness, that one can resist the ongoing temptations of the flesh, and the persistent attacks of the evil one who desires that the follower of Jesus sin, casing shade on the salvation of the Lord.

It is deliberate act, for the flesh is filled with cravings, constantly unsatisfied, and the devil is lurking about like a wild beast looking for prey. It is an ongoing battle to walk in the Spirit, resisting the natural urgings of the flesh to meet God given needs and desires by unholy means.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
I Peter 5:8 NKJV

When I fail, when the “might” in my life looms large, I rejoice in the fact that the Lord has given me grace, that because of Jesus’ payment for my sins on the cross, there is now no penalty. It is on my to fess up when. I have failed, and seek the Lord for strength to continue the walk, having learned from my mistakes, that I not fail again.

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”
I John 1:8-10 NKJV

“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.”
Romans 8:1 NKJV

Brothers and sisters, let us be yielded to the word of His grace, poring over the Scriptures, not as knowledge to inform the mind, but as what is needful to transform the heart. We have a great advantage as born again Christians, in that we have been given the things that aren needful to resist the “roaring lion, “ who is looking persistently for prey.

In these trying times, there are many temptations facing the Christian, for we are receiving pressure from all sides. The world wants us to join into its sinful practices, or at least shut up and not bring them to light. But we must preach the Gospel of Christ, for in it is the salvation of God.

In that great salvation, comes transformation, and a more way from sin. It is that transformation that the world fears. As we are being attacked and reviled, it is crucial that we hide the word of God in our hearts all the more, having a heart bowed and humbled.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
I Peter 5:6-7 NKJV

We have not been placed in this evil world on mission with a message hostile to sin, and then abandoned, but we have a God who cares for us. Moreover, He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world.

“Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
I Peter 5:9-11 NKJV

There will be suffering, and in that suffering there will perfecting, and one day, when the work is done, there will come a time when those who have hidden the word of God in their hearts “will” not sin, for the Word of God with be with us, and God the Father will tabernacle with us.

“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.””
Revelation 21:3-5 NKJV

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https://www.allaboutgod.com/the-roman-road.htm