Genesis 7-9

Matthew 3

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:24-25 

I (Charles Price) remember a conversation I had with a man several years ago. He told me about some things in his life that were pretty bad. Then, he asked, “Do I have to give these up to become a Christian?” I answered, “No.” He responded, “No?” I said, “No.” He exclaimed, “Man, I’m shocked you said that.” I told him, “No, you come just as you are and say, ‘Lord Jesus Christ, here I am. Here’s all my mess. Here’s all my sins that I love and enjoy doing.” This is the problem with sin as Hebrews 11:25 tells us, “…to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (KJV). Sin is only enjoyable for a season because everything changes when we become a Christian. 

As we come before Jesus just as we are and say, “Lord Jesus, I want You to forgive me, reconcile me to God and come live in my life by Your Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit will come to live in us; He will start to do things in our lives. Philippians 2:13 reassures us, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil His good purpose.” When God works in us, suddenly, we do not want to do the old things that we were doing anymore, and we long for something else. Hence, I told the man, “Don’t get rid of this before you become a Christian. Come to Christ and I will tell you this: it won’t be long until this thing will leave your life as His Spirit lives in you and you have a relationship with Him. You come just as you are.” 

In the Gospels, Jesus said to the religious leaders who criticized Him: “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him… you did not repent and believe him” (Matthew 21:31-32). The truth is: it is harder to repent of self-righteousness than to repent of unrighteousness. This is why Christians who are pleased with themselves do not grow.  

Paul writes, “…where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20). People who know they are a mess are the ones most open to God. The great joy of the Christian life is that we qualify from the bottom, where we recognize “I’m a failure, I’m a sinner, things are wrong,” and surrender all that we are, trusting God to do His work in us.    

PRAYER: Precious Jesus, please forgive me for I am a sinner. As Your Holy Spirit comes and lives in me, transform my life and help me live in a manner that is pleasing to You. Thank You, Lord.