ADD TO YOUR FAITH

 

One noted bible teacher made a statement which has stuck to me and that is; "The numbing effect of sin."

 

 

Paul in Galatians chapter three states; "Oh foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth." 

 

The process of sinning for the Christian is something like this. The first time it really bothers them. But the second time isn't as bad until finally they can commit a sin and it doesn't bother them at all.

 

The attitude of what's wrong with a little sin once in a while becomes full blown if not restrained.

 

For a Christian to sin and not be bothered is a desperate situation. The enjoyment of sin will not allow him to repent and he becomes the slave ungodliness.

 

Sitting in the pew each Sunday brings on the condition known as "Harding of the heart." It is a confused state to be in. when there are several in this condition in the church how can the church prosper.

 

Watchman Nee said "The spirit and soul of the unregenerate have become fused into one; therefore they do not know at all the presence of the deadened spirit; on the other hand, they are very well aware of a strong soulical sensation.”

This foolishness continues even after being saved. That is why believers sometimes walk after the spirit and sometimes after the flesh even though they have received spiritual life and have experienced to some degree victory over the things of the flesh.

 

To be unaware of the demand, movement, supply, sense, and direction of the spirit naturally curtails the life of the spirit and allows the natural life of the soul to go unchallenged as the living principle of one’s walk

 

If this is case of a Christian, clearly there is something missing and the place to look for the answer is GOD'S word. In all probability there is something to put off and something that needs to put on. It is both a spiritual and personality issue. GOD has solved both problems by first saving the individual and then adding certain attributes supplied by HIM.

 

This is the salvation part

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

 

This is the revamping of the personality part

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure.

 

(How? By putting on these things) for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. It is essential for you to separate the spirit and soul otherwise the soul will over ride the spirit and there will be the wishy washy walk with a tainted testimony.