Stop focusing on what NOT to do

Check this out...

"I was alive once without the law but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died." Rom. 7:9

I originally thought that Paul was speaking of being born physically as a baby, learning what the law said, and then realizing that he had been born spiritually dead. Today, I've changed my mind on this mainly because of that word "revived." How about this?...

"I was alive once" refers to when Paul got saved. He became spiritually alive. However, when the commandment came (or the law if you prefer) then sin revived itself and he died. What's the difference??.. Well..

I am saved. I am alive. However, when I get caught up with the law ("don't do this, don't do that") then sin suddenly revives in my life and I die. Whenever any of us focuses on what NOT to do, we will eventually do it to some degree. Focusing on the law is like looking at a menu of sin so that my flesh gets to pick what looks tasty today. MMMM Tuesday is the Fish Special. I think I'll have a lust platter with a side of mixed pride w/ ranch today. Follow? In this verse, Paul was spiritually alive without the law (i.e.: grace) but the commandment came, sin revived in his life, and he fell flat on his face. Do you do this? I sure do.

Now dig this..

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors-not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Rom. 8:12,13

What is a debtor? It means you owe somebody something. So, we are NOT debtors to the flesh. I don't owe my flesh squat. If I focus on it and what to protect it from, I will fall flat on my face. Here is the secret, Gang..

Focus on the Spiritual and not on the flesh. I need to keep my eyes on the Lord and get wrapped up with Him. As soon as I stop trying to 86 my sin and I just trust Him to handle it, I'll find victory.

Now, this does not remove my personal responsibility to keep sin out of my life. Rather, it helps me focus my time on someone who has the ability to fight it for good. God will then change my heart to walk the way He has called me. AND, when I do trip up, I can rest in the fact that there is no condemnation for me in Christ.