For Those Who Trust in God's Word...Yes
Everyday I see so much negativity on so many blogs. There seems to be a lot of hopelessness when we are faced with our failures. When I read the following thoughts from my daily meditation source, I thought I would like to share it with those who believe in God's Word as revealed in the Bible.
Thoughts Taken from the Catholic Magazine
The Word Among Us
Wednesday, October 13
Galatians 5: 18-25
Want to hear some biblical truths? Jesus Christ "was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification” (Romans 4:25). "We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10: I0). "If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). And finally, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:24). Throughout the New Testament, we encounter statements like these truths that tell us that we really have been transformed by Jesus' death and resurrection.
Maybe we don't feel that way some days. Maybe our confidence gets shaky sometimes, especially as our "flesh" (our fallen nature) rears its ugly head. We may see anger or jealousy, lust or selfishness, and think, "I'm lost," or "I'm hopeless." But it's just not true! You do belong to Christ. He took your old nature to the cross with him, and it was crucified there. In baptism, you inherited a brand new nature!
There is real power in the cross of Christ to turn anger into peace, or jealousy into generosity; real power before which lust yields to purity, and selfishness gives way to generosity. This is the truth, and we can experience its power whenever we proclaim in faith that Jesus took us to the cross with him.
So when you see sin or temptation rising up within you, tell it the truth: "I have been crucified with Christ, and my old self has been put to death" (Galatians 2:19; Romans 6:6). Gaze upon the cross, just as the Israelites gazed upon the bronze serpent (Numbers 21:4-9). Fix your eyes on Jesus and proclaim in faith: "Jesus, you have overcome all sin and darkness. I believe that you have the power to overcome this temptation as well. Lord, I place my faith in you and your cross." The Holy Spirit is very good at answering a prayer like this. Trust that no matter where you are, you can always turn to the cross! You don't have to be perfect in any way to know its power right now!
“Jesus, thank you for taking my fallen nature to the cross with you. I praise you for giving me the hope of living free from slavery to sin."
The End of that article
Some Possible Conclusions of This Meditation
1. Jesus has made it possible for us to remain calm, peaceful, and sinless in every situation.
2. Jesus by His death and resurrection has given us the tools to STAY IN THE SPIRIT.
3. In Ephesians 4: 29-32, God’s Word tells us not to grieve the Spirit and then tells us what does grieve the Spirit…and how we can live in the peace and joy that we are meant to have every minute of every day in every circumstance.
4:29 No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear.
4:30 And do not grieve the holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption.
4:31 All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice.
4:32 (And) be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.
4. We can choose not to be touchy, jealous, greedy, hostile, angry, bitter and contentious. We can choose to be kind, compassionate and forgiving. Jesus has given us His strength and His promise that He has conquered all sin.