During our life before Christ, we lived a life independent of God. We learned patterns of behavior and even "defense mechanisms" to get us through each day or through life. Some of these patterns are very positive and altruistic, most are self-centered and destructive.
As Christians, we know we are declared by God to be new creations in Him. So why do we struggle with our old nature? We know the good we want to do. We know how we are to live. We know God's Word declares who we are in Him yet the battle persists with the old tries to dominate the new. You see, when we by faith come to accept Christ's free gift, we are immediately born-again, new creations BUT our old nature is not suddenly deleted from our being. The old ways and old patterns of our life are still our default setting if we do not walk worthy in the calling of Christ Jesus on our lives.
In many ways it would be grand to press a delete button and have all our old ways erased, yet God in His perfect wisdom, knows us well. He wants us to walk by faith and to cling to Him in dependence, rejecting the independence in which we once lived. He is Sovereign over all, even our past and who we once were. He can redeem beauty from ashes. He can restore what the locusts have eaten. He will use all that is in our lives for our good and His glory. So though covered by the blood of Jesus and forgiven, our past may at times plague us. Do not allow the enemy to use it to accuse you but allow God to use it all.
We must allow God by His Holy Spirit to "clean house". Things of our past won't necessarily be erased but their strength will be dimished. And this "housecleaning" must also include a filling of the things of God. The fruit in our lives will be the Fruit of the Spirit. A beautiful thing to behold and a testimony to the world of God.
We do not want to continue to default to our old ways. This is our old nature and very "natural" to live this way, but this is our sin nature at work. It no longer reigns over us but sin has it's influences. Rather we are now supernatural beings empowered by the Holy Spirit of God to live as saints and holy ones, just as He has declared us to be.
This is not an easy task for we live in these earthen vessels (2 Corinthians 4: 7) holding the treasure within...Christ with us! These earthen vessels are fragile and will one day perish. Yet in our fragility, Christ is glorified for it is by His strength we go on. A modern day picture of earthen vessels is word painted by an author who likened our bodies as cardboard boxes that hold a treasure. What we see is just the packing material and no one really treasures a cardboard box but what is inside. It is the same with our lives. We will one day "discard" these bodies and receive from Christ our new bodies, perfect and without the sin nature!
For now, as earthen vessels, we hold the treasure of the Holy Spirit of God in us. (John 14:16-17, 26) And by Him we can refuse to allow the old patterns and old ways of our life become what we default to without a thought. We must allow the Spirit of God to retrain our hearts and minds. We must not be conformed to the ways of this world but by the Spirit transformed as He renews our minds by His Word. (Romans 12:1-2)
Christ must be central to our lives. The "disciplines" we would be wise to use are the ones which draws us to Him. For instance: prayer, which is communication with God Himself! Study of His Word is how He speaks to us and teaches us and leads us. Memorization of His Word is what keeps us from falling into sin. We are told to bury His Word in our hearts so we will not sin against Him (Psalm 119:9,11). Fellowship with other beleivers so that we can encourage one another and hold one another accountable...no hidden sins. Serving and loving our God by works. Works do not save us but is just evidence of our new life in Christ and Paul tells us that faith without works is dead. Sharing the Gospel not only so others will hear the Good News of God's grace but also to build our faith as we share.
Continue on the journey dear saint! God is able to sustain you. We possess, in Christ Jesus, all we need to live a holy life and a life wholly unto Him.
