Brothers and Sisters, Priests and Kings, Sons and Daughters of God Most High...
It is true that we are all sinners saved by the Grace of our Lord and Savior, Yeshua. It is true that we must daily give our will over to our Lord so that we will not fall into temptation and stray from His Holiness. It is also true that we must purpose ourselves (with every waking day) to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus - walking in the Spirit so that we will not succumb to the desires of the flesh. (Gal. 5:16)
But this is equally true... Yeshua has never asked of His little one's anything that is beyond our ability to achieve (by His Grace). When He exhorted, "Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect," (Matt. 5:48) He was not indulging fantasy - but giving a command that we CAN accomplish by remaining IN Him.
It comes down to a matter of focus. For years I stumbled from one sin to another, always beating myself up with every transgression as it became less and less likely that I would ever be able to "walk straight paths" before my God. My focus had been (as it is with many) "what can I get away with without grieving God", rather than becoming a child who wishes to never sin again.
That changed for me (forever) many years ago. Though I am anything but perfect, I have developed such a hatred for sin (and it's disastrous impact upon our lives) that I awake every given day singularly focused to stamp even the thought of it out of my life.
It isn't a matter of religion or discipline. It is a matter of relationship. I adore my Holy Poppa. I adore my King and My God, Yeshua. I adore my Friend and Comforter, Holy Spirit. The LAST thing I ever want to do is to cause Them the smallest hurt - the slightest sting of grief - the tiniest teardrop.
I don't always succeed as I should, but I have turned away from deliberate (premeditated) sin. Just as one would never cheat on a spouse or lie under oath, I have purposed myself to deliberately do nothing that would ever hurt my family - which begins with our Heavenly Father.
I once thought this an impossible feat for a mere human that is still clothed in the flesh. Yeshua has since taught me otherwise, and by HIS GRACE He helps me walk in The Spirit without ceasing - so that I remain dead in my flesh and alive in Christ. (Rom. 6:11)
Not only is this possible, this is the way it was truly meant to be - and Yeshua will help anyone (who truly wishes for this) to achieve it by His Grace.
In the end, it comes to this...
Sin sucks. I hate it. I hate it most in me, and will have nothing to do with it. Yeshua helps me walk straight paths that heretofore I thought impossible. He is always faithful to forgive us when we stumble, but we must be truly repentant - which means that our supplication goes beyond mere apology to the point of brokenness where we finally cry out, "I never want to do that again!" If we repent in this way and mean it, Yeshua will help us grow in our spirit so that we can avoid the snares of the devil that once tripped us up so regularly.
So do not settle for less than all you can be in Jesus! I know you can do this! You are a child of Almighty God and He has great plans for your life! Eyes up, Beloved - all eyes on Yeshua! Fix your gaze on your God, return to your First Love, and this world will have no hold on you eternally thereafter.
We are about to do amazing things!
Your brother and servant in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Mark Grimmett
GoldenLight Ministries