August 13, 2022 -- II Timothy 1-5, 10-15 -- The Holy Spirit Renovation Expert

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
II Timothy 3:1-5, 10-15 ESV

There is a phrase which is often used when I am leading a Christian 12 Step Group: “one is too many, a thousand is not enough”. When our sinful appetites grab hold of us, one drink is too many. Any time the believer opens the door to sin, the self-centred, greedy, sinful nature which otherwise is hibernating in us, awakens, rearing up its ugly head and is prepared to have its unappeasable appetite direct all our activities. Whether it is porn or pork, alcohol or amphetamines once sin has a slight opportunity, it will rush against the slightly open door, and push in to overwhelm the believer. This all seems to make a mockery of the power of God.

This is why fasting was such an important practice in the Old Testament. Jesus affirmed its importance in Matthew 6. When the believer denies himself food for a brief period, a meal, or a day, he realizes his stomach is not in charge. His body is fine without the meal and he learns self-control. The brief pangs of hunger direct the believer to prayer and confidence in God's provision. Such fasting exposes the deceptive urges of sin and shows the believer the power of God to withstand these. When a believer leans into all that is holy and good, spends time with other believers, then all self-deception is exposed. The desire for knowledge leads to a holy impulse to find opportunities to put this knowledge into practice. Such practices become the habits of the heart and life of a believer.

Where sin has flooded in and caused all kinds of damage do not despair. Confess it to God the Father. Know that Jesus Christ has come to disarm the power of the devil and all his wicked accusation. Leave the paths of sin and whatever wicked things have grabbed hold. Trust the Spirit of God is the restoration expert. He takes the flood-of-dissipation damage and He makes such repairs that the glory of God will take hold of your life.

Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. It is too embarrassing to look up to heaven. It is too sad and frustrating to be at this same place again--confessing the same sin that I confessed yesterday, last week, last year and for the last decade. Thank You, Merciful God, for the promises that as long as day follows night, Your mercies are new every morning. Thank You, God of steadfast love, that as You delight to call out the stars each night and never tire or grow weary of commanding the sun to rise each day, so You delight to heal wounded sinner and never grow weary in applying the radiance of Jesus' work to believers, doing this in the power of Your Holy Spirit. Triune God, take the wreckage of my life and let Your workmanship shine through, so that I am rebuilt to withstand the push of sin and the whole work of renovation You undertake makes my life shine for the glory of God the Creator and Sustainer. Amen.

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