Love Christ. Fight Sin.

It's so easy to overlook the ways in which sin so cunningly infiltrates our lives. I think this is especially true for those of us who have comfortably settled into the life of a believer. In my life I often find this sin quietly hidden under masks of self-righteousness, selfish ambition and false humility. Truth be told, sometimes this sin isn't really quiet within my soul at all. In the times when selfish motives push me toward action, I am often fully aware of the presence of sin in my heart.

It is humbling when I consider just how much of my life is motivated by my desires for self-glorification rather than the glory of Jesus Christ. While pride may not be at the center of each believer's struggle against sin, I do believe that self-centeredness is. Our sinful desires, whether for pleasure, financial and social gain or recognition; are fueled by the belief that "I" am first.

It is my prayer that the body of Christ would come to see Christ as first and all else second. I pray, brothers and sisters, that Christ would lift the scales from our eyes so that we would see the Glory of God; and that in truly seeing His Glory we would realize that He is greater, He is more beautiful and He is more satisfying than any reward that our selfish desires might bring.

Today, I read through Matthew 18, in which Jesus answers the question"Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Here is his response:

"He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell." ~ Matthew 18: 2-9

So brothers and sisters, I implore you to love Christ and fight sin.