Grace Teaches Us to Say NO!

Recently I had a discussion with some ladies about the increase of immorality all around us. I mentioned to them that if you want to walk in the Spirit, you're going to have to make an effort, because everywhere you turn you run right into something that is trying to draw you into living for the flesh. Example...I was sick when I saw a commercial while watching the local news that showed a new show that is coming out this fall that was full of sex scenes and deceptive actions in just a 60 second spot. blaaa!

One lady said, "Too many people think that because of God's grace they can go out and live however they want. They think He will just forgive them and then they can just go out an do it again." I responded, "They don't know what true Grace is, then. True Grace teaches us to say NO!" I mentioned this verse found in Titus 2:11-14 (NKJV),

For the Grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

That's what I'm talking about! There is no lasting satisfaction in living to gratify the five senses of the here and now. True satisfaction goes beyond the five senses. That's why I wrote my book, Loving God with All Five Senses. (Go to www.legacyministries.info to order your own copy.) Yes, we can and should enjoy pleasures with our five senses. That's why God created them. It points to His awesome creativity--for lack of a better term! But if we get out of control feeding the cravings of our flesh, we are then distracted from genuinely tasting the deeper things that bring true and lasting gratification that God has for us in the Spirit. Here's another great passage from Galatians 5:13-25 about this subject:

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

I challenge you. Read that again! Would you rather have the works of the flesh that lead to death or the fruit of the Spirit that results in abundant life? I'm telling you that the peace and joy that comes with living for the Lord, with His GRACE that gives you the courage, strenth and desire to live a godly life, is available to everyone. Not only is it available, but it is offered to you right now! The price has already been paid!

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life! John 3:16

Surrender to Him today and you, too, will experience wholeness. Who wouldn't take that offer?!