What Is The Blessing Of Maturity?

February 9

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the flesh,
to fulfill its lusts."

Romans 13:14

What does that mean ..."make no provision for the flesh?'

It means don't tempt yourself.

Don't go to places where you know you'll sin.
Don't go with people when you know that with them, you will fall.
Don't read things that will arouse sin in you.
Don't watch television shows or movies that will arouse sin in you.
Why would you tempt yourself?

"And do not be conformed to this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..."
Romans 12:2

When we come to the Lord, we come as carnal sinners, born in sin, to sinful parents, into a fallen and sin-filled world. From the day we are born again, the Lord begins the work of transforming our minds. It may seem slow for awhile, almost imperceptible. If you have a young child, you do not notice growth from day to day, it seems like each day is like the day before it. But the growth is sure and constant. In the same sense, our minds are transformed slowly but they are transformed surely - that is, if we cooperate with the Lord, if we nourish ourselves in his Word, if we spend time with him, if we follow his lead, if we maintain an attitude of repentance.

A parent loves his child and delights when he first walks, begins to speak, learns and grows. But the joy of the parent over these things cannot be compared to the joy of relationship when the child becomes an adult and shares life with the parent. God yearns for the day when he can enjoy relationship with us as adults.


No comments: