"In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil
desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of
wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought
from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of
righteousness." (Rom 6:11-13, NIV2)
Have you ever noticed when a police cruiser shows up on a highway, all traffic
slows down? No one wants to end up with a speeding ticket!
In Scotland, the police are even more pro-active. They have put numerous radar
speed traps all over Scottish road, especially on the highways. Signs warn
drivers in advance about these, and you can be sure that everyone slows down.
What most don't know is that many of these radar speed traps are not even
functioning, and even if you do know this, there is no way to know in advance
which ones are active and which are not. Unless, that is, you have a GPS that
can detect their functionality.
To most drivers, those speed traps are their reality, and they well know the
hefty consequences of ignoring their presence.
Sadly in life, many don't take that to heart, and this time I am not talking
about speed traps, but about the warnings about addictions that turn in to what
we call in spiritual terms, "sin". To them, their fascination over an unhealthy
habit is their reality, and nothing can stop them from pursuing it, even if it
will cost their lives. Their vice, their reality, brings them down to the level
of an automaton, or in other words a robot that is programed to self-destruct.
This doesn't have to be. We weren't created to beat the rules and find ourselves
completely hopeless in our addictions. Still, many are addicted, and they don't
know what to do about it. The warning bells may be ringing persistently, but
they have no clue how do break free. How can our vices be overcome if they are
our only reality?
That's exactly what the problem is: our vices have become our reality, so much
that our addictions are way more important than family, love, relationships, and
even our means to make a living!
As long as our sin looks more real to us than our loving Father in Heaven, our
vice will continue to dominate us, no matter how hard we work to get rid of it.
However, if we let our Father in Heaven become our reality instead of our
addiction, then victory is right at our doorstep. In one moment it is done with,
never to reoccur. True, for some it will take some time for that reality to sink
in, but victory will be forthcoming: "So if the Son sets you free, you will be
free indeed." (John 8:36, NIV)
Yes, the evil one will try anything to keep us in bondage. That's his goal. If
we rely on our own power, there is no way we could become or remain victorious.
Bathing in the reality of our Father is what makes us victorious. The evil one
has no chance of succeeding.
Why?
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is
in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1John 4:4, NIV2) God has
truly become our reality!
Warning! Speed trap ahead!
What will you do about it?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.