One Step Forward and the Two Step Back Tango

Commit. Fail. Confess.
Re-commit. Fail again. Confess again.
Re-re-commit. Fail again. Give up.

One of the blogs I read daily , yesterday had an article about sanctification or more simply put , growing in Christ. The words above were used to describe how many Christians live out the struggle.

Now it didn't end up in talking about giving up but laid down many very solid helps to overcome the defeatist idea many fall into. But what struck me was the words above and how it so described my life in many ways . Sometimes you can feel so defeated in ones struggle with sin and after you read  ones testimony of being able to get over a major sin, having it  removed instantly , one can say why can't I .

This can lead to two very bad ideas. The first you are doomed to never have any growth . You will stay in the pit of despair , never seeing the light of day.The second even more dangerous , a surrendering of the battle. To throw ones hands up and turn tale and run away. You say to yourself , if all I do is fail then why fight !

But the first thing one should never do is look at others and the growth they have shown. For who knows what areas we cannot see where they may struggle . For some yes growth happens quick and fast . But in must lives sometimes growing in holiness is a life long battle.

In life we are so used to the quick fix , we want the TV dinner way to growth. Plus we have heard so much nonsense like let go and let God ,that we forget that although we are saved apart from any work on our part , its all of grace,  in sanctification , there is a way in which we are enabled by the Holy Spirit to grow.There is some sweat in growth . The word does say to work out our salvation with fear ad trembling.

If we are in a battle , with the old sinful self(which we are) , even though our affections have been changed , we need to see this as a fight . Each day we must rise and face the day as a warrior for Christ.

    [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
(Ephesians 6:11 ESV)

Paul uses the idea putting on armor . Using a soldiers concept of rising , preparing for battle and strapping on his armor to go out and meet the foe . What good soldier before battle doesn't sharpen his sword or make sure his gun is ready to fire well. Our weapons need to be ready for our flesh,the world and the Devil all will try and tear us down . Study the Bible , pray , and know your weak points .

Growing in holiness comes with a fight . Stand firm Paul tells us ,and if you fall , rise up and enter the fray again . Pray , call out and trust that Christ has nailed all your sins to that blessed cross .