I Kings 2:2
King David talking to his son, Solomon: "I go the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD you God to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.
Being saved....
Being born again...
Whatever you want to call it, is an event that, over time, produces change in an individual.
I have said on numerous occasions that when you are saved, you will do business with the world in a new way. You would see things differently. Some thought that there was something that was going to happen to you eyes, or your sense of how to deal with people would change. Well, the real change that takes place is a change in your character.
This is evidenced by the work of God's Holy Spirit in you, as you learn to recognize what's taking place, and cooperate with the work. All part of the journey we call the Twelve Steps. A journey that takes you through an inward change that produces an outward change in our behavior.
Step #6
We were entirely ready to have God remove ALL these defects of character.
James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in due time.
Working Step #6 requires us to lay aside all our pretenses and estimations of our own self-worth, good and bad. We are entirely....completely....nothing else to gain or lose...ready for God to begin the change we need so desperately.
Philippians 3:12-14
I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus has possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Paul the Apostle, was well aware of the needed inward change that must take place if true salvation has happened. We no longer can conduct ourselves in the way we use to. In the I Kings passage above, where David is instructing his son, Solomon, on what must take place after David's death, David commissioned Solomon to prove himself a man.
How so?
How does one go about this?
By being a person of integrity...
Someone who heeds the directives and leading of God in their life, even when it runs counter to the ways of the world.
A person who speaks truth in love...
Who helps those who truly need help...
Who never has an over inflated view of themselves, and has no need to be self-promoting. Walking in humility before everyone. Having no need for the spotlight, but moves about confident in who they are.
How can they do this?
Through the inward work of the Holy Spirit, as their character is changed.
I will be sharing more on this message tonight at Vineyard ReCovery Church.
Meeting starts at 7 p.m.
Hope to see you there...
God on you...
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