I'll Be Honest

One aspect of mortifying sin is killing our fears. Fear is a drug that makes us think wrongly and it's the beginning of defeat in any situation that we face. Fear will either rob us and make us passive, or we will learn to be proactive and kill it with the promises of God. We can either choose to yield to our fears and sink into depression or we can ask the Lord to help us.

Mack pastors in Denton, TX at https://www.providencedenton.org/

If you give into anxiety you will reap fear, condemnation, and discouragement. Anxiety is a wasted choice that dishonors the Savior. Rather we must not yield to anxiety, but take everything to the Lord in prayer.

Some wrongly measure God's approval of them by their obedience; and thus never feel like they measure up to God. Believer, you must look at your day through a gospel lens. That is, focus in upon the precious atoning work of Christ. When you do this, everyday is a good day no matter your performance and good works. It is the best of days because your sins are forgiven in Christ.

In 1 Peter 5 the Bible identifies those who shepherd the flock as the elders. It is not just one of the elders who shepherds. The Bible teaches that all of the elders are to equally shepherd the flock. This is because all elders are pastors. There is equality, and yet diversity among them; and all must strive to shepherd with humility.

When we are with other Christians, we should purposely plan on turning the conversation to spiritual things. One way is to ask specific questions about the sermon or about what God is doing in someone’s life. On the other hand, we shouldn’t think that every time of fellowship has to be directly focused on a chapter and verse from the Bible.

“Do you realize this: On the greatest day you’ve ever had in the living out of your Christ-likeness you’ve fallen miserably short. You are under unfathomable grace on that day. What’s the basis of God’s acceptance of you? It is the same basis of God’s acceptance of this thief: The shed blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ.” – Jesse Barrington

Are you convinced of the value of personal discipleship? That is, connecting with fellow Christians; brother to brother, sister to sister, on a personal, one on one level, to invest in one another, and to help one another to grow in grace. Do you have spiritually intentional relationships in your life?

Chuck Vuolo pastors at http://www.newlifemd.org/

What is boldness? Boldness is the Christian virtue of being able to speak about God and His gospel with frank, unashamed openness, unhindered by the fear of man (or what people will think). Boldness of speech is consistent with a variety of personalities, gifts, and callings, and is consistent with discretion, sensitivity and gentleness.

Since eternal hell is real, then what does it matter how some person thinks about me? When they're going to eternal hell! That alone should motivate us to overcome our silly fears and be graciously bold in telling people the good news of Jesus Christ.

Christians must not be passive in putting sin to death; they must be proactive. We must never take an attitude of defeat. The Bible calls us to long-term mortification of sin. And at the center of our mortification must be the gospel of Jesus Christ; otherwise it's just another form of moralism.