More like JESUS, LESS LIKE ME!

 

I love the song by Zach Williams that says "Be more like Jesus and less like me." In order to do that we need to continue to fight to eliminate the SIN in our lives!

SIN is not one of those pleasant topics most Christians like to talk about. After we are saved, we give the impression that we don't do that any more. So we go and hide our battle with sin. We give the impression that we no longer battle with it. We give the impression of PERFECTION. I really think that is a mistake. Paul even admits struggling with sin, battling between his fleshly desires and his SPIRIT. The struggle with SIN does not stop when we are saved. 

When we start following Jesus we enter into a process called "SANCTIFICATION." I know that is a big, often unexplained word in the church. Sanctification is just the process of becoming more like JESUS. We cannot fully get there in this life, but we are working toward that marvelous goal. AND we know we are going to reach that goal because:

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finaly finished on the day when Christ returns" (Philippians 1:6, NLT)

But, WE HAVE A PART TO PLAY in this sanctification process. That is what Jesus was telling his disciples in Mark 9:

"And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It's better to enter the kingdom of God with only one eye that to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 'where maggots never die and the fire never goes out.'" (Mark 9:47, NLT)

Jesus gives a large list of things that were thought to cause someone to sin, your hand, you foot, and your eye. Don't take this the wrong way, the only thing that causes you to sin is YOU. But the point Jesus is making is that you need to be diligent REMOVING those things from your life that encourage you to sin. What are some examples?

Computers and Social Media provide MANY OPPORTUNITIES to sin. Do you need to remove them from your life so that you will not be tempted to sin? Alcohol is another catalyst for sin in some peoples lives. Do you need to remove it altogether? Some PEOPLE influence us to SIN. YES, you might have to remove some people from your life that tempt you to sin. Pastime activities could be another influence. 

There are so many things we SHOULD ELIMINATE in order to help the SANCTIFICATION PROCESS to proceed. 

What needs to be eliminated from your life to help you be more like Jesus?

"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world." (1 John 2:15-16, NLT)

Heavenly Father, help me to remove those things from my life that prevent me from being like you. Give me the strength to battle the sin that envelopes us every day. I realize I cannot do this without your love, grace, mercy, and power over all sin. Thank you Lord! AMEN!

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If you haven't repented of your sin, accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross, dying for your sins, or if you have not committed your life to Jesus, TODAY could be that day. give your life to the Lord. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

If you gave your life to Jesus today, text the word "faith" to (765)-896-4302 and we will follow up with material for you and join you in your walk of faith!