If you’re like me, you’ve asked the question at some point, “Why don’t you just make me obey God?”.  There are times that I’m so sick of my sin that I just want Him to take it all and make me obey.   I mean He has the power to do anything, why not do that and prevent all this difficulty we endure?

Unfortunately, this is a cop out led by our flesh.  We are tired of fighting the spiritual battle that rages within us.  If God were to take the struggle away there would be no submission to Him, there would be no choice in loving Him.  Would we really want that?

Remember what is says in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

I believe that free will is part of God’s patience and careful process of demonstrating that His love and grace in Christ, is sufficient for us so that we may reach true repentance. .  When we sin, is it not a clear reminder that we thought something else other than God would satisfy us?  We know better, why did we do it?  At the heart of it, our flesh believes that Jesus is not enough.  As we walk with Him, He patiently teaches us that He is all we need.

This is by no means to be used as an excuse to not strive to know Him.  This is not some battle that is fully left to God to handle, but we also remember that He is already victorious over the enemy.  We must actively run to, and submit to our Savior for all of our needs and growth and readiness for the attack of the enemy.  His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path as we run to Him.

You want to decrease the presence of sin in your life?  Recognize your need for Christ and pursue Him with the passion He deserves.  Spend some time at the Cross each morning, remembering the price Jesus paid for you to be His joint heir. Begin your day rejoicing that your soul is secure in Him.

Get in His Word.  If we love Christ, shouldn’t we desire to be ready? 2 Tim 3:16-17 (ESV) tells us:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

I’ve found it helpful to have the YouVersion (www.youversion.com) app on my phone and computer.  It has several reading plans and will send you a reminder also to keep you on track.  His word has the power to transform you…don’t waste another minute…get in His Word ASAP.