Be Encouraged

[Netchaplain]

Does it at times seem you’re missing something? Often, it’s the desires after “the old man” to which we were so accustomed to following that is missing, which can produce an uneasiness due to the lack of a familiar sensuality. Though all that the sin nature performs is impure, it yet moved us, but never in a good way; and no more do we follow it, but the Spirit (Ro 8:1, 9). This is a big hole in the life of a believer (not so big for the babes-in-Christ) and will be repeatedly noticeable; and it should, because it continues to show us our position of innocence in the Lord Jesus.

Thankfully, the Holy Spirit eventually shows us every time how futile wanting anything deriving from the original nature is vain, producing the absence of desire for the former evils and sensualities; lest we be “Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (2Ti 3:4). The indwelling “old man” cannot cause us to “sin willfully” (Heb 10:26), but yet tests us regularly, causing us to remember to exercise our faith in Christ’s expiation because of it.

Some good news is that where believers are in their walk and maturity is to where God has brought them for the time being, and we will ever be in a progression of being “conformed” (Ro 8:29; 2Co 3:18) and maturing; and it’s not “conform” but “be conformed.” Big difference! The Father will ever be “working in you to desire and perform of His good pleasure” (Phl 2:13).

Yes, wherever believers are in their maturity in Christ is where the Father has them, because He has been—and will ever be increasing our conformation while on the earth (Eph 4:15). First securing desire for Him, then, the more we mature, the more enabled we are to please Him!

May God continue to teach us to know for certain of our eternal security in Him (which is the pinnacle of encouragement) in patiently entrusting all to Him for all things at all times, “for He careth for you.” (1Pe 5:7).

 

[GISMYS_7]

Does it at times seem you’re missing something? Often, it’s the desires after “the old man” to which we were so accustomed to following that is missing, which can produce an uneasiness due to the lack of a familiar sensuality. Though all that the sin nature performs is impure, it yet moved us, but never in a good way; and no more do we follow it, but the Spirit (Ro 8:1, 9). This is a big hole in the life of a believer (not so big for the babes-in-Christ) and will be repeatedly noticeable; and it should, because it continues to show us our position of innocence in the Lord Jesus.

Thankfully, the Holy Spirit eventually shows us every time how futile wanting anything deriving from the original nature is vain, producing the absence of desire for the former evils and sensualities; lest we be “Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (2Ti 3:4). The indwelling “old man” cannot cause us to “sin willfully” (Heb 10:26), but yet tests us regularly, causing us to remember to exercise our faith in Christ’s expiation because of it.

Some good news is that where believers are in their walk and maturity is to where God has brought them for the time being, and we will ever be in a progression of being “conformed” (Ro 8:29; 2Co 3:18) and maturing; and it’s not “conform” but “be conformed.” Big difference! The Father will ever be “working in you to desire and perform of His good pleasure” (Phl 2:13).

Yes, wherever believers are in their maturity in Christ is where the Father has them, because He has been—and will ever be increasing our conformation while on the earth (Eph 4:15). First securing desire for Him, then, the more we mature, the more enabled we are to please Him!

May God continue to teach us to know for certain of our eternal security in Him (which is the pinnacle of encouragement) in patiently entrusting all to Him for all things at all times, “for He careth for you.” (1Pe 5:7).

Yes! We born-again believers are sons of God= joint heirs with Jesus this truth is our pinnacle of encouragement.

 

[Randy Kluth]

Good encouragement--thanks! We are all indeed at different places in our walk, and we would do well to remind ourselves regularly of just what the battle is. We have been made new creatures in conformity with the image of Christ, and we must constantly manage that as an act of fidelity and also as a process of growth. As we remain in conformity to Christ, we can grow and be ever more fruitful as we return to Christ what he has given to us. :)

 

[marks]

Yes, wherever believers are in their maturity in Christ is where the Father has them, because He has been—and will ever be increasing our conformation while on the earth (Eph 4:15). First securing desire for Him, then, the more we mature, the more enabled we are to please Him!

May God continue to teach us to know for certain of our eternal security in Him (which is the pinnacle of encouragement) in patiently entrusting all to Him for all things at all times, “for He careth for you.” (1Pe 5:7).

I often have the tendency to hold myself to a higher bar than I think God does. I'm impatient, and that impatience reveals itself as a lack of trusting in God that He is in fact the One conforming me to Christ.

Does it at times seem you’re missing something? Often, it’s the desires after “the old man” to which we were so accustomed to following that is missing, which can produce an uneasiness due to the lack of a familiar sensuality.

That's a really good way to put it!

Something I've been able to observe in myself is that as I have issues with clinical depression and anxiety disorder, I have been able to see how these are fleshy ailments, and that they don't affect my spirit. The flesh feels what it feels, and in the case of physiologically based mental disorders, that goes on just like cold or flu or an injury. It's more like an injury.

Simultaneous to that, though, the Holy Spirit lives in me, and in my spirit I still trust, and continue in Him.

Thank you for your encouragements!

Much love!

 

[Netchaplain]

Yes! We born-again believers are sons of God= joint heirs with Jesus this truth is our pinnacle of encouragement.

Amen, and thanks for the input!

 

[Netchaplain]

Good encouragement--thanks! We are all indeed at different places in our walk, and we would do well to remind ourselves regularly of just what the battle is. We have been made new creatures in conformity with the image of Christ, and we must constantly manage that as an act of fidelity and also as a process of growth. As we remain in conformity to Christ, we can grow and be ever more fruitful as we return to Christ what he has given to us. :)

Amen, growing is what it's all about after regeneration, so we can be used more in His service (not our service). Thanks for the input!

 

[Netchaplain]

I often have the tendency to hold myself to a higher bar than I think God does. I'm impatient, and that impatience reveals itself as a lack of trusting in God that He is in fact the One conforming me to Christ.



That's a really good way to put it!

Something I've been able to observe in myself is that as I have issues with clinical depression and anxiety disorder, I have been able to see how these are fleshy ailments, and that they don't affect my spirit. The flesh feels what it feels, and in the case of physiologically based mental disorders, that goes on just like cold or flu or an injury. It's more like an injury.

Simultaneous to that, though, the Holy Spirit lives in me, and in my spirit I still trust, and continue in Him.

Thank you for your encouragements!

Much love!

I'm 67 and my youngest son is 37 who has for the last 12 years been wrestling with an anxiety syndrome. He's, more slowly than I like, gaining success over it by a continence of "casting all your care on HIm" (1Pe 5:7), which is the resolution for all in Christ, regardless of our level of maturity and success in Him.

 

[marks]

I'm 67 and my youngest son is 37 who has for the last 12 years been wrestling with an anxiety syndrome. He's, more slowly than I like, gaining success over it by a continence of "casting all your care on HIm" (1Pe 5:7), which is the resolution for all in Christ, regardless of our level of maturity and success in Him.

"More slowly than I'd like", yes, that totally characterizes my overcoming as well! In one way. In another way, the overcoming is complete when I can keep my mind focused on God.

What is that verse? God will keep in perfect peace the one whose mind is anchored on Him. So long as I do that, I can disassociate from the most virulent anxiety. Sometimes it's like trying to concentrate with someone screaming in my face! So that's the battle! Or some of it, anyway!

That verse is an anchor for me too. Casting all my cares on Him, because I'm what He cares about! However mature, still, I cling to that.

Much love!

 

[Netchaplain]

"More slowly than I'd like", yes, that totally characterizes my overcoming as well! In one way. In another way, the overcoming is complete when I can keep my mind focused on God.

That verse is an anchor for me too. Casting all my cares on Him, because I'm what He cares about! However mature, still, I cling to that.

It helps me much that when I see difficulties and my evil thoughts from the old man, regardless of its degree and repetition I let it be without using self to resist it (resisting Enemy is an exception - Jas 4:7), because I know not only that God knew it would enter my path, but has already planned it for my good (Ro 8:28). So to me 1Pe 5:7 means accepting and entrusting all that occurs into His "care" by allowing it to be without troubling you (Jhn 14:1, 27). We can also know that however we respond will never change the fact that He is still going to "work" it out for our benefit.

 

[marks]

the fact that He is still going to "work" it out for our benefit

This is one of the hardest things for me to keep in mind . . . "even this!"

And I really do appreciate your encouragements!!

Much love!

 

[Netchaplain]

This is one of the hardest things for me to keep in mind . . . "even this!"

And I really do appreciate your encouragements!!

Much love!

It can be comforting just knowing that God knows that we want all of our intentions to be in accord with His pleasure, esp. in our times of testing and distractions of the old man.