"The defeated Christian" Have you ever heard this phrase? It boggles my mind. Yes, I'm going back to 2 Peter... AGAIN! It's important... but let me back up. I watched a quick 10 minute teaching on "counting the cost" (click the link and check it out, it's a great message). He was teaching how some decide to do things without counting the cost. Things like get married and decide to follow Jesus. He's right! If we were to truly "count the cost" of following Jesus, according to what Jesus, Himself, said I think a lot of people would think again about following Him... I mean, just look at John 15:18-27, Jesus takes a good chunk of time making sure His audience knows that if they choose to follow Him, they WILL be hated. It's not even a question. They WILL be hated. Matthew 10: 16-25 warns of persecution saying "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will even rise up against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of My name..." We're talking emotion, violence, and death! Talk about counting the cost!
In his teaching (see above), Brandon Kagel mentions that many who fail to count the cost turn away from Christ and Christianity when the going gets tough. Some who hold on through those rough times, some for years, others for MANY years, sometimes forget about the promises God has given us. I've been a Christian for a while, but after going through the divorce, and other things that truly sucked I started falling into a bit of depression, and would have seen myself as the "defeated Christian." Then one Sunday my favorite fake dad (the one, the only, Scott Anderson) was teaching at church on 2 Peter 1 and it all clicked...
"His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires"
So not only do we have God's power to call upon during painful and difficult circumstances, such an unwanted divorce, the death of a loved one, etc... But we have His power to call upon to persevere through persecution. AND, yes, an AND!! ANNNDDDD His power to escape the corruption of this world and it's evil nature.
It's truly mind blowing to me. I have the power of God at my very call! How do we forget this??!? It's HUGE!
If all the Christian's who struggle with a certain sin, and are constantly going back to it saying things like "I just can't stop" or "I have no will power," if these Christians believed the inerrancy of the Word, and truly grasped 2 Peter 1:4, would there be a change? I truly think so.
Don't forget who you are now brothers and sisters. You're a co-heir with Christ! Your royalty! You have access to your Father's power if only you ask for it!! When you count the cost don't forget the pricelessness of this!
That's all...
Much love,
~Jennanana
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