July 23: Sanctification - The Life Side
Oh yeah!! Whereas yesterday's reading reminded me of all the bad traits that pour out of my selfishness, today's lesson makes me feel like a verse from Chris Rice's song, "Untitled Hymn" -
"And when the joy spills over, and music fills the night, and when you can't contain the joy inside, then dance for Jesus, dance for Jesus, dance for Jesus...and live!"
Isn't it wonderful that our Creator knew our limitations and designed a way so that "the perfections of Jesus Christ are imparted to me, not gradually, but instantly when by faith I enter into the realization that Jesus Christ is made unto me sanctification."
It works out like this:
-Anger. The death side of me says "Lord, you can't expect me to let them get away with THAT!" Although I try to imitate Christ, my efforts fail. The life side remembers I John 4:7-8, "...he who loveth not, knoweth not God," and by faith humbly asks, "Lord, help me love them like you love them." Supernaturally empowering me to love, His efforts succeed!
-Unforgiveness. The death side snarls, "It is not humanly possible to forgive or forget such a horrible act of wickedness." No matter how I pretend to be nice, the memory of the malice causes searing pain in my soul. The life side recalls Matthew 6:12, "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Remembering just how much God has forgiven me, by faith I ask Him to help me forgive, and the pain goes away.
Jesus, You are awesome! No wonder I am the happiest person I know!!
"And when the joy spills over, and music fills the night, and when you can't contain the joy inside, then dance for Jesus, dance for Jesus, dance for Jesus...and live!"
Isn't it wonderful that our Creator knew our limitations and designed a way so that "the perfections of Jesus Christ are imparted to me, not gradually, but instantly when by faith I enter into the realization that Jesus Christ is made unto me sanctification."
It works out like this:
-Anger. The death side of me says "Lord, you can't expect me to let them get away with THAT!" Although I try to imitate Christ, my efforts fail. The life side remembers I John 4:7-8, "...he who loveth not, knoweth not God," and by faith humbly asks, "Lord, help me love them like you love them." Supernaturally empowering me to love, His efforts succeed!
-Unforgiveness. The death side snarls, "It is not humanly possible to forgive or forget such a horrible act of wickedness." No matter how I pretend to be nice, the memory of the malice causes searing pain in my soul. The life side recalls Matthew 6:12, "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Remembering just how much God has forgiven me, by faith I ask Him to help me forgive, and the pain goes away.
Jesus, You are awesome! No wonder I am the happiest person I know!!
posted by Jane at 5:20 AM
2 Comments:
Dear girl, you are wonderful! Yes, you are definitely on my Top-10 list of happy people, and the world is better because of it.
Perhaps, I should be more specific... The alluring quality is more aptly described as JOY. Happiness is an uplifting emotion that can be replaced with sadness. Paradoxically, joy still thrives in the midst of sorrow. Trying to explain that to someone who someone who doesn't walk with Jesus is almost impossible, but, as Kevin discovered, the evidence is undeniable.
Stacie, keep rolling along with those happy wheels of joy!
By the way, I don't know "The Happy Song." Stacie, would you teach it to me sometime?
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