Ephesians 4:13 states “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
God’s will is that we grow in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ, so why is it so hard? If God is working with us, should this not be easy? Is your excuse “It must be human nature”; or “I’m not good enough so God must not be hearing my prayers.” Or are you bold enough to just say “God will just have to take me as I am.”
All these may appear to be reasons to you but the real reason is often some besetting sin or sins that we fail to overcome time after time. Why, if it is God’s will, do we not gain victory over them more easily?
The key to growing and gaining victory is recognizing the issue. Until we acknowledge our inability to handle it ourselves and turn it over to God we will remain stuck in a condemnation loop which seems to have no exit.
But remember when we were in the sin loop Jesus revealed himself to us and showed us the exit. He can do the same thing again if you will simply confess the need to him.
Acknowledgment of our powerlessness is the first essential element to spiritual growth. How else would we ever be able to do what Jesus says in Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” He adds in Matthew 6:31, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?'” If these are challenging, try I Corinthians 15:34: “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.”
It is time to stop playing and turn to God with all our heart.
YIC – Pastor James L Henley, Jr.
Fresh Start Christian Church 