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Say No and Yes

Read two inspiration sharing from Daily Bread which I think both are very related. It tells about our sinful nature and how to resist from sinful urge.

Phil 3:9 tells us that we are found in Him, not having our own righteousness, which is from the law, but which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith. When we receive Christ, we are set free from the penalty and the power of sin. We are able to say no and yes in our daily decision. We can say no to the desires of the flesh or "youthful lust" (2 Tim. 2:22). Hmm....what kind of "youthful lust"? Is it the lust that most of the youths experience? So when they grow older, the desire is not there? Maybe partly because most youths commit more wrong doings, at least that's what reported in the newspaper. So the heart of the youth is wild - need to be tamed :)

We should flee from the "youthful lust" (figurative speaking) and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace. Say yes to righteousness, faith, love and peace.But even Christians also struggle with flesh and its sinful desires (Rom. 7:18-19). Fortunately we are alive to God in Christ. We can respond in a God-honoring way by obeying the instructions of Rom. 6:13: Do not present any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but present yourself to God as an instrument of righteousness. Sin shall no longer be our master, because we are no longer under the law but grace.

May the Lord give us strength to quench the desire to do things our own way.

Note: The author borrowed the "yes" logo from yes.my. It is not a mean of publicity but as an appreciation of the design.

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