Centreville Presbyterian Church
We've all heard it. God loves us just as we are. But isn't there a lot of talk about sin in the Bible? God doesn't seem to be ok with that either. So, which is it? Are we accepted as we are or expected to do better?
Galatians 5:13-18 ESV
When someone claims their freedom in Christ a battle begins…
(Galatians 5:16, 18)
What is Flesh?
Our old rebellious sin nature. The part of us that wants what we want, the way we want, when we want it. Our real trust is in the fleeting feeling of fulfillment that comes when we get what we want. This means we spend our life constantly responding to our own desires and dissatisfactions. Life is very transactional. If someone doesn’t like us we don’t like them. If someone hurts us we hurt them. If someone attracts us we want them. If something is beautiful we want to own it. If somebody else has it we feel jealous. Your real hope is in what's good for you.
What is Spirit?
Our new Father/Son/Spirit renovated self; the part of us that has seen God’s deep goodness and has begun to find a pleasure in Him that our SinSelf could never equal. We increasingly want what God wants. Our true Trust, in the darkest of nights and on the brightest of days, is in God’s rule over our life and His guidance in your life. God is our greatest pleasure & the pleasures of this life shine all the brighter because you see them for what they are, gifts from above.
When someone claims their freedom in Christ victory is secured by God’s faithfulness…
(Galatians 5:17)
Our Cross based, Grace covered, Spirit empowered Relationship with God fuels a Hunger for Holiness that is energized not by…
• a dis-like of self or
• a fear of what the world thinks
but by…
• a Joy for what could be…
• a belief in the power of obedience.
You know this is from God because this hunger never diminishes the peace that resides in your heart.