When Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia, he was writing about me.
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel–which is really no gospel at all.
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Formerly, when you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God–or rather are known by God–how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? … I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
Stand firm, then, and not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
I’m left wondering… how many times do I have to give in to my sinful nature before I completely fall away from God?
1 Timothy 2:13
“if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”
Thanks, Terri. But then I read the verse before that… “If we disown him, he will also disown us.”
Yes, but disowning is very different than being faithless.
Disown means denial of Him. Faithlessness means that you believe, but are struggling or weak in some area.
I wouldn’t worry about the verse before unless you’re planning to declare Jesus is not the Son of God and begin practicing buddhism or some other religion.
That is not the impression that I get.
Your weakness in certain areas is not an indication that you’re slipping away from God. It is simply an indication that you need His help. If He were not in you, you heart would not be troubled by the failures that sometimes come your way.
You must remember that He knew what He was doing when He called you. You see an imperfect life, He sees a child of His Own that is still learning to walk and talk and follow in His steps.
Parents don’t abandon their children, even when they are less than obedient.
Thank you, Terri. I needed that.
John 1:16
“We have all received one blessing after another. God’s grace is not limited.”
Do not fret…keep striving to be better, but God will always be there with grace that sets you free.
I just read Isaiah 55:7:
“I’m left wondering… how many times do I have to give in to my sinful nature before I completely fall away from God?”
You can’t fall away from God, Amanda. I hope you know that. That doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want, of course, but the fact that you are worried about separation from God means that you will continue to work on being a better person and a more perfect Christian.
I think that’s what some Christians mean when they say “Once Saved, Always Saved.” If you are saved, and have felt Christ’s love, then every time you fall back on the world, you will know that you have done wrong and will be able to see just how weak the world is when compared to God. That will keep you striving for God’s presence more in your life. That’s what I believe, anyway.