He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
This may surprise you but God's plan isn't for you to be good but to be whole, to see us healed from the inside out. God is into relationships not rules and regulations and the end result is goodness from a healed heart not from following rigid rules.
Does this give us the freedom to sin? No, not at all.
Romans 6:1-2 NIV
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
So how do we grow towards wholeness and maturity?
James 5:16 NIV
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
How desperately do you want to be whole? The more you want wholeness the more you will work at it. It does take work and lots of conscious effort to renew our mind; changing our thinking pattern. To the degree that our mindset changes is to the degree that our wholeness will be. The more you want to be like Jesus, the more you will work to be like Him one thought at a time.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God Bless,
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that last verse you have posted has always been one of my favorites-not sure why in particular, but I have always liked it and the security it brings :)
ReplyDeleteHi Katy,
ReplyDeleteIt sure is a comforting verse to read, very reassuring.
Thanks for stopping by!
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How desperately do you want to be whole? You have no idea how many times I asked myself that. I was pretty desperate. Because of Jesus I am being made whole everyday and getting better and better. As of yesterday I have known Jesus as my Savior for 4 yrs. and 5 months! It is still so exciting! I sure do love Jeremiah 29:11. Love this post Child of God. Many blessings...Chelle
ReplyDeleteHi Chelle,
ReplyDelete4 years and 5 months + a day! Woot! That is awesome!!
I too want to be whole. The more I dive in to Jesus the more I see just how unwhole I am.
Blessings girl, continuing to pray for Wayne.
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Excellent post! Says a whole lot. Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteHi JBR,
ReplyDeleteI'm still pulling out different information from this. God's word is intense. :)
Blessings,
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Hi Child of God,
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! So very true, God is interested in a relationship with us, not us trying to earn His favor through some rigorous form of rules. The commands He gives us are for our own good. He know whats best. The things He wants us to not do (sin) destroys.
Blessings,
Ken
Hi Ken,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, God knows best. Sin destroys and God went through extreme measures to protect us from the effects of sin; Jesus Christ.
Thanks for stopping by!
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