In this fallen world things which seem to be freeing actually place us in greater bondage. A common lie perpetuated today is how throwing off the shackles of biblical morality and propriety results in "empowerment." The feelings of self-empowerment may be euphoric at the beginning, but they ultimately sour after the brief honeymoon stage. The bankruptcy of soul is often covered up by what we can acquire or achieve, numbed with alcohol, or drowned out by new pursuits. There is no enduring empowerment to be found in adulterous affairs, one-night stands, stripping, prostitutes, or pornography. The sickly sweet sense of empowerment ends up being bitter poison in the end, putting a wounded soul at the mercy of an increasingly cruel taskmaster.
There is a temporary sense of godlike-euphoria in doing whatever you want, and the devil knows this well. But there is no sustainable, enduring hope in self. The body flaunted today can be dead tomorrow, and all illicit loves create wounds time cannot heal. The so-called "sexual revolution" of the 60's was really nothing new, and the fallout of broken marriages, families, and lives continues in the Tinder-hookup era on a global scale. The world says it is empowering to assert your dominance, to fulfil sexual conquests, to take off your top to make a statement, to make demands and take no prisoners, but like all things of this world it cannot deliver on a single promise. The stuff we work for will pass to others and decay into ruin. We still have to live with our own consciences, consequences, and the niggling thought there is a God we will be required to stand before naked and sober on the Day of Judgment.
The Bible makes the unique claim the world pushes against at every turn: real empowerment comes through total submission to God. It is only when I believe in Jesus, repent of my sin, and submit to God He graciously endows me with His power and strength. Man's power is limited in scope and duration, but God's power is infinite and eternal. The power God grants is not to improve my self-esteem, to feel more confident or better about myself, but so I can joyfully live in the way that pleases God. Self-esteem and self-confidence are snares which enslave, but slavery to God is liberating from sin, self, the values of the world, and the opinions of other people. Having power is not the reason why we submit to God, but is the blessed result of believing in Him, loving, and obeying Him.
Today people mistakenly believe they are the master of their own destiny, they can do anything, and be anyone. Yet no body modification, surgical augmentation, workout regimen, or preferred pronoun can touch our eternal souls: like it or not, God has made us as He intended. We can do many things with the bodies and minds He has provided us, but there is nothing we can do to cleanse ourselves of sin. There is nothing we can do to wash ourselves clean of the lies, rebellion, selfishness, and deceit. But God has given us all the ability to decide if we will receive Jesus Christ as our LORD and Saviour, to believe in Him as a child trusts his parents. We can be born again and made new creations by the power of God! Speaking of Jesus it is written in John 1:11-13, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." On our own we are absolutely powerless, and how incredible it is God grants those who believe power to be adopted as His children, forgiven of sin, and receive eternal life. It's not a better you but a new creation Jesus lives His life though.
It is not in asserting self we are empowered, but in submission before our holy God. Our bodies will all go the way of the earth and moulder away, yet as many as humble themselves before Jesus as King and receive Him are given power to live forever in heaven. Praise God for the exceedingly great power God has exhibited in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we are His beneficiaries (Eph. 1:15-23).
There is a temporary sense of godlike-euphoria in doing whatever you want, and the devil knows this well. But there is no sustainable, enduring hope in self. The body flaunted today can be dead tomorrow, and all illicit loves create wounds time cannot heal. The so-called "sexual revolution" of the 60's was really nothing new, and the fallout of broken marriages, families, and lives continues in the Tinder-hookup era on a global scale. The world says it is empowering to assert your dominance, to fulfil sexual conquests, to take off your top to make a statement, to make demands and take no prisoners, but like all things of this world it cannot deliver on a single promise. The stuff we work for will pass to others and decay into ruin. We still have to live with our own consciences, consequences, and the niggling thought there is a God we will be required to stand before naked and sober on the Day of Judgment.
The Bible makes the unique claim the world pushes against at every turn: real empowerment comes through total submission to God. It is only when I believe in Jesus, repent of my sin, and submit to God He graciously endows me with His power and strength. Man's power is limited in scope and duration, but God's power is infinite and eternal. The power God grants is not to improve my self-esteem, to feel more confident or better about myself, but so I can joyfully live in the way that pleases God. Self-esteem and self-confidence are snares which enslave, but slavery to God is liberating from sin, self, the values of the world, and the opinions of other people. Having power is not the reason why we submit to God, but is the blessed result of believing in Him, loving, and obeying Him.
Today people mistakenly believe they are the master of their own destiny, they can do anything, and be anyone. Yet no body modification, surgical augmentation, workout regimen, or preferred pronoun can touch our eternal souls: like it or not, God has made us as He intended. We can do many things with the bodies and minds He has provided us, but there is nothing we can do to cleanse ourselves of sin. There is nothing we can do to wash ourselves clean of the lies, rebellion, selfishness, and deceit. But God has given us all the ability to decide if we will receive Jesus Christ as our LORD and Saviour, to believe in Him as a child trusts his parents. We can be born again and made new creations by the power of God! Speaking of Jesus it is written in John 1:11-13, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." On our own we are absolutely powerless, and how incredible it is God grants those who believe power to be adopted as His children, forgiven of sin, and receive eternal life. It's not a better you but a new creation Jesus lives His life though.
It is not in asserting self we are empowered, but in submission before our holy God. Our bodies will all go the way of the earth and moulder away, yet as many as humble themselves before Jesus as King and receive Him are given power to live forever in heaven. Praise God for the exceedingly great power God has exhibited in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we are His beneficiaries (Eph. 1:15-23).
Amen brother!
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