This thought brings us to Step Ten, which suggests we continue to take personal inventory and continue to set right any new mistakes as we go along. We vigorously commenced this way of living as we cleaned up the past. We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help. Love and tolerance of others is our code. (AA, pg 84)
This is quintessentially the biggest stumblingblock for a new creation like me, as I am learning that in my right standing before God the Father, there is no reason for me to be looking at myself.
We are invited to look on Him who saved us (Colossians 3: 1), who rose from the dead for us (Romans 6: 11), who justifies us ever at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8: 33).
I cannot refrain from repudiating the nonsense which so wars against the Truth of Christ and His Finished Work:
We vigorously commenced this way of living as we cleaned up the past.
It is Jesus who now lives in us! (Galatians 2: 20). His grace empowers us to live this life (1 Corinthians 15: 10).
Christ's death on the Cross cleans us from our past, not our works
"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" (Hebrews 1: 3)
Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness
NO WAY!:
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3: 18)
We want to know Him more, because we are sons of God (John 1: 12), like Him already (1 John 4: 17), having received the Spirit of adoption (Romans 8: 15).
Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear.
We have no reason to fear:
"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." (Isaiah 43: 1)
If we do not grow in virtue and grace, it is because we have forgotten that we have been forgiven from all our sins:
"But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins." (2 Peter 1: 9)
When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them.
Lying, back-biting, resentment fear -- these are all works of the flesh (Galatians 5: 19-21). The solution is not more self-effort, i. e.. flesh, but instead for us to walk in the Spirit, to ask God the Father to open the eyes of our intellect that we may see all that He is for us! (Ephesians 1: 17-19)
We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help. Love and tolerance of others is our code.
Running to other people with our fears and resentments is not the answer. The devil loves to see the children of God get off their thrones and start running around trying to take care of everything which He has already taken care of:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 10)
If we are God's workmanship, and He has prepared the works that He wants us to do, is it not time for the members of the Body of Christ to stop looking at ourselves are starting looking at the Head (Colossians 1: 18)
And
"For we who have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world." (Hebrews 4: 3)
This life is not about looking at ourselves and trying to make sure that we say and think and do the right things. It is about resting in our Lord and Savior, who has provided Life and all good things with it.
The only question: will you believe it or not? (John 6: 29)
This is quintessentially the biggest stumblingblock for a new creation like me, as I am learning that in my right standing before God the Father, there is no reason for me to be looking at myself.
We are invited to look on Him who saved us (Colossians 3: 1), who rose from the dead for us (Romans 6: 11), who justifies us ever at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8: 33).
I cannot refrain from repudiating the nonsense which so wars against the Truth of Christ and His Finished Work:
We vigorously commenced this way of living as we cleaned up the past.
It is Jesus who now lives in us! (Galatians 2: 20). His grace empowers us to live this life (1 Corinthians 15: 10).
Christ's death on the Cross cleans us from our past, not our works
"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" (Hebrews 1: 3)
Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness
NO WAY!:
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3: 18)
We want to know Him more, because we are sons of God (John 1: 12), like Him already (1 John 4: 17), having received the Spirit of adoption (Romans 8: 15).
Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear.
We have no reason to fear:
"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." (Isaiah 43: 1)
If we do not grow in virtue and grace, it is because we have forgotten that we have been forgiven from all our sins:
"But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins." (2 Peter 1: 9)
When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them.
Lying, back-biting, resentment fear -- these are all works of the flesh (Galatians 5: 19-21). The solution is not more self-effort, i. e.. flesh, but instead for us to walk in the Spirit, to ask God the Father to open the eyes of our intellect that we may see all that He is for us! (Ephesians 1: 17-19)
We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help. Love and tolerance of others is our code.
Running to other people with our fears and resentments is not the answer. The devil loves to see the children of God get off their thrones and start running around trying to take care of everything which He has already taken care of:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 10)
If we are God's workmanship, and He has prepared the works that He wants us to do, is it not time for the members of the Body of Christ to stop looking at ourselves are starting looking at the Head (Colossians 1: 18)
And
"For we who have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world." (Hebrews 4: 3)
This life is not about looking at ourselves and trying to make sure that we say and think and do the right things. It is about resting in our Lord and Savior, who has provided Life and all good things with it.
The only question: will you believe it or not? (John 6: 29)
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