"It happened again. This time, worse than ever. I thought I had it all figured out. In my mind, I had finally found the formula to living the perfect Christian life. A little of this and a lot of that and God would be pleased.
Why shouldn't I have had this mentality! Isn't earth governed by laws! Surely, there is the law of cause and effect; and I must reap that which I sow. But here I am again, back in the same mess I began from! Why is nothing working?!"
This is the internal dialogue of many Christians. It can be really disappointing to find yourself back in sin having made a firm resolution to live a commendable life. The shame you feel is big enough to break you.
The problem is that you think you're capable of changing your life. The transformation comes from the renewing of your mind using the word of God, and allowing Grace to work in you.
The time has come when you stop struggling and start allowing. Constantly read your Bible and decide in your heart to live like Jesus, then LET GO OF YOURSELF. What God does is that He steps in and practically instructs you according to His will. Certain traits just fall off on their own. For the more serious bad habits, you will become more sensitive about them: what triggers them, when you are about to do them, etc. When you start bargaining with your conscience, however, you fall into the cycle again.
Let yourself go.
Unless you are willing to lose everything you have - friends, family, assets, worries, cares, grudges, happiness, comfort... EVERYTHING - the Grace of God cannot act.
Why shouldn't I have had this mentality! Isn't earth governed by laws! Surely, there is the law of cause and effect; and I must reap that which I sow. But here I am again, back in the same mess I began from! Why is nothing working?!"
This is the internal dialogue of many Christians. It can be really disappointing to find yourself back in sin having made a firm resolution to live a commendable life. The shame you feel is big enough to break you.
The problem is that you think you're capable of changing your life. The transformation comes from the renewing of your mind using the word of God, and allowing Grace to work in you.
The time has come when you stop struggling and start allowing. Constantly read your Bible and decide in your heart to live like Jesus, then LET GO OF YOURSELF. What God does is that He steps in and practically instructs you according to His will. Certain traits just fall off on their own. For the more serious bad habits, you will become more sensitive about them: what triggers them, when you are about to do them, etc. When you start bargaining with your conscience, however, you fall into the cycle again.
Let yourself go.
Unless you are willing to lose everything you have - friends, family, assets, worries, cares, grudges, happiness, comfort... EVERYTHING - the Grace of God cannot act.
"If people come to me and are not ready to abandon their fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, and sisters, as well as their own lives, they cannot be my disciples.
- Luke 14:26
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Quit struggling. Just... Let go.