For me, porn was the only thing I knew to use to try and escape the world I had created around me. The only escape I knew to try and fill a void that was overrun by fear, insecurity and ego. And it was not easy to release the grip pornography had on my life. I have to stay accountable. I use the tools around me. Humbly admit that I can’t do it on my own. Ask Jesus in His power to give me strength each day. My years of doing things in my own power got me nowhere so I know now I have to lean on His strength and get great leadership.
Fresh Start
As 2010 has rolled around I have been thinking this year is going to be different. I am going to be encouraged by a fresh start. The funny thing is that with God and His grace I have a new beginning each and every day of the year. So instead of placing so much importance on my overall goals and commitments for purity for this year I should confine them to one day at a time. To say, "I am going to fight with everything in my being to stay strong, to say no to impurity, and to be all God intends for me TODAY." Today is my day to pursue Jesus and experience His grace.
How applicable for our situation when Pastor Phil preached on Hebrews 12:1-3...
"1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."
As the church father Augustine has said, "Man has options, but those options are all sinful in nature. He is free to choose, but merely to engage in one sin rather than another." This means all the more reason we need a massive move of Jesus to invade our hearts, thoughts, minds, bodies, decisions. It's all about Jesus, it always has been and always will be about Jesus.
I am excited to see 423 men become real men who treat their wives with real love and compassion, and treat their sisters in Christ with the God fearing respect and dignity that they deserve as equal image bearers. I pray that we will become a city within the city, a city who loves Jesus and wants to see Him transform it as He has done through our entire life.
By an Anonymous Member of 423 Men
No comments:
Post a Comment