Chosen by God!
When we face those who oppose us on our spiritual journey, we should be encouraged because of our eternal position in the Lord Jesus Christ. We can use our eternal position in Christ to encourage one another to overcome temptations, rather than using it as an excuse to continue to sin. Because of Jesus, God sees us “seated in heavenly places.” (Ephesians 2:6) Our salvation has already been “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,” and “He is the down payment of our inheritance.” (Ephesians 1:13-14) Knowing who we are in Christ is rooted in faith and love. It’s our love for God, and our faith in Him, that causes us to trust the Holy Spirit to help us to live a life that is pleasing to God. This same love will cause us to suffer rather than fail to please God.
"SO, SINCE Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God], so that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living by [his] human appetites and desires, but [he lives] for what God wills." (I Peter 4:1-2 AMP)
While His grace is always available to us because of our love for Him we won’t, or shouldn’t, choose to sin just because He will forgive us. In every temptation we face God has provided a way out, all we have to do is choose His way out.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.” (I Corinthians 10:13 HCSB)
God’s love for us has always provided a way out of our sins. Our love for Him should cause us to choose His way out causing us to live lives of love and obedience.
Be Encouraged! ❤
Leisa Wilkins Ministries
"Encouraging and Empowering you to become who God created you to be, God's Masterpiece, a Divine Original!"
Pastor | Author | Bible Teacher | Speaker | Encourager
www.leisawilkins.com