I am so overwhelmed with GOD’s goodness and revelation and I’ve wanted
to put these thoughts into writing when I got back from my trip in Salatiga.
I’ve planned to put these realizations to help friends and other people who
might be battling against sin.
As I was in the train travelling, I was talking to GOD in my thoughts
and just wanted to be back on track again. I have been fighting and struggling
so hard in the last quarter of 2014 due to all the overwhelming events that
happened in my life, from personal issues and the passing away of the most
important person in my life, my Papa. It really took a lot of me. I was very
unstable!! I tried and really fought hard to put myself together again. People
may have thought that I was so strong in facing Papa’s earthly passing. Honestly,
I WAS NOT! I have looked up to him so much and so dependent in his opinion on
every decision I take. His passing really shook me. I fought hard with sin!!
Self-pity, self-condemnation, prayerlessness, “Word-lessness”, pride and
many more.
I’ve come up to a realization to fight and will never allow the enemy
to take a hold of my life ever again. I must continue to firmly work out my
Salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12) and defend HIS gift of Salvation. And never to allow satan to steal again another day of my
life by believing in his lies.
GOD has orchestrated series of events this week that have pushed me to
finally write these thoughts. Last Wednesday, in preparation to our life group
topic for Thursday, I read Ephesians 4 and look up some commentaries to
understand more about the chapter. This Sunday’s preaching also confirmed a lot
of these thoughts. Ptr Lew did a great job with the sermon this morning. I
couldn’t stop affirming to whatever he said while sitting.
I have learned more of GOD’s salvation from the previous chapters of
Ephesians and in chapter 4, GOD has given us instructions of what to do with
the free gift. I have understood more about HIS redemption and I believe that when
we understand thoroughly the depth of what HE did for us on the cross we will fight
for it and naturally want to serve HIM and do the right thing out of our
gratitude. Understanding the enormity and the fullness of His death and
resurrection will stop us from condemning ourselves (Roman 8:1). By condemning
ourselves over and over again, it’s as if we are telling HIM that what HE did
for us on the cross is not sufficient and something more must be done for our
salvation.
“Christ death is sufficient to pay your sins in full. JESUS paid it
all. To believe otherwise is to hold the position that JESUS’ shed blood was
inadequate for your eternal life. No person in his right mind would go back to
the bank to make a payment on a loan, discover that a benefactor had paid the
loan in full and then argue to the teller that even though the debt papers were
stamped “Paid in full” he still continue to make payments.”(An excerpt from
John Piper’s Ebook)
I have yielded to the truth to live in the new life Christ has given me when
I received HIS gift of Salvation (2 Cor. 5:17). To fight against pride and
fully surrender myself in HIS arms. Accept that there’s nothing we need to do
(Eph 2:8) and that there’s nothing we’ve done or we’ll do that can ever
separate us from the love of GOD (Rom. 8:38-39).
Fighting against sin is honestly hard since we are in a deceitful and
fallen world. Fighting with our flesh is laborious. We have to travail and make
a choice to stand in HIS written WORD. One of those things my parents have kept
reminding me over these years is to keep reminding myself of GOD’s promises
whenever satan is trying to torment and attack me with his lies. (Psalm 119:11)
What does the BIBLE tell me about my identity in HIM? The following
verses helped me a lot in this battle: John 16:33, Romans 8:17, 2 Corinthians 5:17 – I keep reminding myself
of these truths. Be deeply rooted in OUR identity in CHRIST!! There are so many verses in the BIBLE
about who we are in CHRIST. Use them as your armor to fight with those lies.
Wallowing in the enemy’s lies will never add another day into our lives and it
will never help us attain the fullness of who we are as the Heavenly King’s
children. I have to keep holding HIS hands during this journey. I have to
continue to watch and pray (Matt. 26:41). And remember that though HE has given
us Salvation, HE also teaches us to be serious in running away from sin (Matt.
5:29-30). Every day is a war against sin that’s why the Bible said to watch and
pray. (Matt. 26:41)
So CHOOSE HIM! CHOOSE JESUS! BELIEVE that HE has redeemed you out of
that dark pit. Be assured and firmly trust in HIS promises!! Stop allowing the
enemy to take a hold of your life. When you received JESUS CHRIST as your Lord
and Saviour you’ve decided to put on that identity HE has for you. Redeemed and
paid in full. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the strength and the courage to
battle against sin and acknowledge that without HIS help you’ll never win this
war. JESUS LOVES YOU SO MUCH! HE wants you to enjoy the fullness of the benefits of Salvation HE has given you.
