© 24 Colin Melbourne
Focused and Resolute: Not Double-minded
Why the half-hearted and double-minded fail every test. James 1:5-8 KJV;
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Expert At Self-Deception
We’ve frequently heard those who’ve missed the mark of our high-calling in Christ say;
“I don’t understand why I failed again, *sob* *sob* but God knows my heart, that I really do, deep-down, believe in Him.”
Faith Without Repentance is Dead
We’ve consoled them, weeping in their milk over their latest failure, fullgrown-babies uttering habitual prayers, spiritual cripples, limping along half-heartedly in two minds.
We understand because we’ve experienced that at some stage in our discipleship.
So we’ve discovered that Christ doesn’t condemn, rather He consoles and encourages through His written and rhema’d words, endorsed by the unlimited mercy and grace of His Spirit.
Where Did I Go Wrong?
The truth is believers always know why they failed: They chose their own will over Father’s will.
When we fail, it’s because we compromise Father’s words, and miss the best we could achieve.
Satan has no power to tempt a Christian beyond that which we can bear, so we can’t blame the Devil, or anybody else, for our personal failures: We know we’re completely responsible for our walk with God. 1 Cor. 10:13 KJV;
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
There’s a victorious avenue through every trial of our faith: God’s written word says so right there.
Lordship means you do as you are told, because you Love The LORD Jesus Christ
Father’s Way
If you don’t want it, you won’t seek or take it, you’ll fail, and continue the cycle of self-humiliation.
But, if you’re willing to learn to be sensitive to the very same Spirit who led The LORD Jesus Christ, then He’s bound by His written word to lead you in victory over every obstacle, and through every fiery trial, unscathed and rejoicing in Christ.
Is that what you want?
Then simply yield your whole heart to The LORD Jesus Christ, without reserve, and do as He leads.
There are no victories for the half-hearted, for it’s with the heart that we believe, a divided heart is doomed to fail, just as Israel did under the Old Covenant, Hosea 10:1-2 KJV;
Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.
Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.
Father wants the zeal of His Family, His Household, to consume our desires, to make His will our own, from love and gratitude, not from fear of reprisal or condemnation. Jn. 2:17 KJV;
And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
Notice the zeal OF thine house, not “for”, as modern “bibles” mangle it, and miss the point.
Learn this Gospel basic, and you’ll forever quit the childish cycle of; sin, crocodile tears of repentance, followed by yet more failure: Your heart is under your full control, God’s Spirit nudges, we follow His will, not our own.
That’s precisely what Christ meant when He said, Mtt. 16:24-25 KJV;
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
The same injunction the Holy Ghost emphasized in Galatians 5:16-18 KJV;
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Got it?
If not, you need to understand the Good News Message of Christ
What Good News?
The good news that God Himself has come and took your sin on Himself in Christ.
Why?
So that you can be forgiven of every sin and receive God’s Life and peace.
So what?
So repent from unbelief and believe that Gospel fact and God’s Spirit will come into your heart and make you a new creature in Christ.
Believe the Good News that Christ took your guilt and shame on Himself at Calvary and died in your stead.
Why?
So that God can legally forgive you so that you no longer need be guilty before God.
So what?
Believe that God Sacrificed His Only Begotten Son in your place to give you His righteousness, peace, and life.
Why?
Because without God’s righteousness and holiness you will remain condemned by your sins, and never make Heaven.
So what?
So turn to Christ and trust in His righteousness, His holiness, and His faith to be sure you’ll be accepted by God.
Believe the Good News that The LORD Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day just as He said He would.
Why?
To prove that He is God in The Flesh, had no sin of His own, and has paid for your sin once and for all.
So what?
So turn from unbelief and trust that Jesus has done that for you, and ask Him to forgive you all your sin and make you His child, and a new creature with His Life in your heart.
The Good News that Christ carried your sicknesses and infirmities on His Body at the cross.
Why?
So that you need no longer suffer sickness or disease as you trust in Him as LORD.
So what?
Believe on Christ as your Saviour and Healer, and let His Word and Spirit heal your body, as you follow Him.
© 24 Colin Melbourne
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