February 26, 2021: The Power of Our Self-Will Can Be Consuming at Times in Our Life. What Can We Do?

I believe we all must continually recognize how truly sinful we are, even as saved Christians,

and have walked with our Lord for quite some time in our life. Even though many of us recognize that we need Jesus as our Savior in our salvation, we still hold on to our "self-will" and begin to think over time that we are not so bad after accepting Jesus into our lives.

The power of sin in this world is overwhelming at times. And if you are serving God in a special ministry or sharing His word with others consistently, Satan does not like that, and he is going to find ways to cause you to stumble and become unworthy in serving God.

I Peter 5: 8 (NIV)

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

It is quite easy over time that our self-worth can begin to creep back into our hearts and cause us to stumble. We must constantly be on the lookout of "ourselves", as Peter say, "Be alert and of sober mind." Our "absolute surrender" to God must be a constant state of mine before our God. If we have "died-to-self", it is no longer us that lives within ourselves. It is the Holy Spirit living out His divine power through us.

Galatians 2: 20 (NKJV)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

It was after my true and "absolute surrender" to my Lord over thirty-five years ago and recognizing daily that I am still a "wretched sinner", that this sinful knowledge of myself must keep me surrendered to Him. I am not saying that I am not forgiven for my sins...I know I am, but it is my acknowledgement of my sinful nature that keeps me humble before my Lord.

I Peter 5:6-8 (NKJV)

Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

PERSONNAL COMMENT:

I think of the story of the Apostle Peter after he denied Jesus three times and after the third time, Peter looked across the courtyard and saw Jesus looking at him, and went away crying bitterly, (Read Luke 22: 60-62). We too must come to place in our lives where we "mourn bitterly" for our sins and truly recognize how sinful we are.