Suppose you have been reading along here for a while and you have struggled a bit taking in some of what I’ve been sharing here from the bible. You might consider yourself to be a ‘longtime believer’ who is active in and faithful to a local church, read your bible regularly and have strived to the best of your ability to live a good Christian lifestyle as an example to both family and friends. 

 Yet....you have struggled with some of those ‘besetting sins’ that Paul writes about in Heb. 12:1. My goodness, it could be any number of those pesky things we often refer to as the ‘flesh’ or that ‘old man’ who seems to linger on and raise his ugly head up at the least opportune times. (Gal. 5:19-21) 

 Some of those ‘sins’ may be more obvious to those who know you and live with you. And then there are those ‘secret sins’ that we really don’t like to talk about and sure would not want to reveal in a small group of brothers/sisters because...well, you know...that would shock and disappoint them given they esteem you so highly. And having people think well of us is important. So why ‘pull that curtain back’? 

 I bet there are probably some reading who have done just that in the past...made yourself vulnerable and transparent and did openly share some struggles with others who empathized with you and committed to pray for you. Yet, you still struggle with the same old sins. 

 So you remind yourself how far you have come, that you are not like you ‘used to be’ when you first came to Christ 10+ years ago...then whisper a few familiar and worn out verses about how there is ‘no condemnation for those who are in Christ’ and ‘greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world’ and you move on with your day. 

 You are reminded regularly from the pulpit that nobody is perfect; so just keep asking for forgiveness since you are ‘eternally secure’; meaning you are ‘saved and your seat in heaven is waiting on you’, because it’s ‘not about how we perform or live down here...it’s all about what Jesus did for us on the cross’. "By grace through faith we are saved and not of our works", we often remind ourselves. Sound familiar? 

 Yet...you struggle and over time, those verses you used to quote seem to dim...in power. Those hymns that used to make you tear up...have ‘lost something’. It’s not like you have turned from God and long to join the ranks of the 'worldly sinners' who surround you, but something has changed over time. You would hate to admit it, but you recognize your heart has ‘hardened’. You might suspect it is because those pesky sins that seem to be a thorn in your side have never released their hold on you. You could be correct there, in your thinking, given we are told that it is the ‘deceitfulness of sin that hardens our hearts’. (Heb. 3:13) 

 So why? Why after all these years do you still struggle with those particular areas of sin? Maybe it’s not that big an issue anymore given when you look at others who are ‘worse sinners’ than you, you feel a tad better about yourself. But deep down, you know something is not right. And that soft whisper of a voice that has continued to woo you and warn you about those sins...grows fainter. 

 And really, what motivation is there to truly overcome them? It’s kind of like those 1 or 2 pesky math problems that you could never solve on your math homework so you stopped trying. I mean, you got the other 90% easily so no big deal, right? 

 I’ve used the example before -of how when a graduating high school student receives their acceptance letter to a four-year college that was their top choice, and how it is an exciting day worth celebrating with family and friends as they slip on the t-shirt with the college mascot and name. But let’s be clear...the diploma did not come with that letter. You still have some work to do and courses to take and complete. The college degree is not guaranteed unless...you complete the journey. A journey, that will include...tests and exams. (Deut. 8:2; James 1:2-3) 

 Let’s be honest here...what incentive or motivation would there be to ‘overcome’ those tough classes...and tests...if none of that really mattered? Yes, I realize I’m getting close to a fine line here and in no way am I suggesting that our ‘salvation’ is based on our efforts and labors. But I would submit that there are plenty of ‘other gospels’ out there that are destructively deceptive and have damaging effects on many believers who have been convinced that while ‘following Jesus’ might be a good idea and goal to aim for, it's not that ‘necessary’ given their ‘spiritual diploma’ is already signed and waiting on them simply because they...prayed a prayer and signed a card and joined a church. 

 IF that is the case, then why even read this bible? Why not enjoy all the other countless ‘religious books’ out there that will inspire you and point you to success to be all you can be. And when you need a break, you can always get lost in some good ‘Christian Fiction’ novels to entertain and inspire you.  The rest of the time...just get lost in singing Christian worship songs until you feel good and renewed.

 Yet...we are told about this ‘holy, blameless bride without spot or wrinkle’ who Jesus is coming back for and that she is ‘washed and cleansed by the water of the Word’. (Eph. 5:26) and that it is by the ‘word of God that we are born again’ (1 Pet.1:23); not to mention that is how we “have purified our souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit’. (22). It is the ‘word of God’ that is the pure milk that enables us to grow. (1 Pet. 2:2) and ‘works effectively within us who believe’. (1 Thess. 2:13)  There is...no substitute for God's word.

 How many other believers out there would admit to having ‘settled in to lukewarmness’ yet are not sure how they got there nor how to shake themselves out of this fruitless place. Now that’s not to say you have not had your ‘inspiring moments’ in a lively church service. But it seems that can easily happen where all kinds of exciting things take place in the name of the Lord, yet you can still be shut out for not really doing...the will of God nor bearing the right kind of fruit. (Matt. 7:21-23) 

 Is it possible that they...or perhaps even you...find yourself in that place Paul warned Timothy of that would come about in those ‘last, perilous days’ where there seemed to still be so much ‘flesh’ operating all the while people continued to walk in a ‘form of godliness’ yet devoid of any power. (2 Tim. 3:1-5) 

 And what ‘power’ would that be? How about the power to overcome all sin and all the power of the enemy that Jesus promised to those who came to Him with their whole heart? (Luke 10:19). The same power to be more than conquerors in Christ and empowered by His grace to ‘take up your bed and walk (the way you were created to walk) and to actually go and ‘sin no more’. 

 How can we boldly confess that ‘greater is He that is in us’...if there seems to be ‘something else in us’ that has us bound? “Whoever continues to sin is a slave to sin’, Jesus told them in John 8:34. 

 I would submit that many, many, sincere believers could readily identify with this condition I speak of here today. And I would add that a good part of the reason is because we have been ignorant of the ‘whole counsel of God’ and have heard plenty from those ‘other gospels’ that Paul warned about in 2 Cor. 11:2-4, 'gospels' that do not conform us to godliness'. (1 Tim. 6:3) 

 Yet, God...in His mercy is trying to awaken us, a ‘sleeping church’ (Rom. 13:11). It is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance. (Rom. 2:4). It is not the will of God for any to perish. (2 Pet. 3:9) 

 If you are halfway paying attention, you have to realize something is happening in this world where God is wanting to get our attention, amidst all the other ‘distractions’ out there. Perhaps you have heard of the recent ‘awakening’ or ‘revival’ that is taking place in Kentucky at the Asbury Christian College. (If not, Google it). It remains to be seen if it is indeed a “God Thing”, but from what I am hearing/reading, there is much brokenness and repentance taking place, which is a good thing. People are flocking from all over the country to attend with the hopes of experiencing their own awakening. 

 What is important to remember in times like these when God does stir and awaken us, even re-igniting a flame of desire within us- for Him and a hunger for His word, we have a part to play as well in ‘fanning the flame’. (1 Tim. 2:6). It’s not about just having some ‘experience’ to hang our hat on. God does not pour out his Spirit to make us feel good; rather, He empowers us to get up and ‘do the will of God’ and follow Him so He can complete the work He began in us. But obedience and abiding in Him is imperative. As in, it is NOT an option. 

 I believe perhaps that is where my small part comes in. I had my own personal awakening three years ago and it has not waned one iota. Let me assure you, there is absolutely no way on earth that I could continue arising early every morning and ‘churn out’ these ‘lengthy lessons’ with all the scripture to support what I share if it was not for the work of the Holy Spirit.  I know...where this 'manna' is coming from.  I only call it 'manna' because I know how it has been nourishing me daily...whether anyone else out there is being fed by it.  

 There is so much I still need/want to learn. But these ‘building blocks’ to which I have continued to address, write about, and expound upon, are vital to keeping this flame lit within...whoever has ears to hear. I’m fully aware of an enemy out there who comes immediately to ‘snatch the word from our hearts, lest we believe and are saved’. (Luke 8:12). But I am also fully confident that God will see to it that His word will not return void, but accomplish all that it is sent out to do. (Isa. 55:11). This is an exciting time and if there was ever a time to lay aside those pesky, besetting sins, not to mention all the other ‘distractions’ out there, that time is now. 

 “Therefore He says: ‘Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead and Christ will give you light. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:14-16)