Hi MaryJane,
I wanted to let you know that your post came as a great blessing to me, a few days ago, when I read it. During that time, I had been immersed in a great battle with temptation and had actually prayed for God to give me something in the way of special grace, during this time...just before reading your email. Praise God - he used these words you shared, from brother Wilkerson. Also when I reflected on them, they brought to mind some passages of scripture which deal with this same topic :
"You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin" Hebrews 12:4. Not resisted unto blood- what a great metaphor ! I also thought of this passage from 1 Corinthians and the phrase "quit you like men" stood out to me. So here Paul is admonishing us to, 'act like men' (Act like mature believers..rather than like youngsters in Christ).
"13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 14 Let all that ye do be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16 :13,14
I was thinking back on times when I have let lust or coveteousness or whatever have free reign in my life, and it occured to me that so often when this has happened, it has happened because of me allowing 'unthankfulness' to grow within me. Sometimes, unthankfulness can be seen in strong measure among young kids. At times they may have just been given a lot in terms of treats or fun activities.... and yet even then they want more, more....
I believe that likewise, I can sometimes forget the huge blessings God has bestowed on me, in so many areas of my life, and it is during these times when I can easily fall prey to temptations; temptations that come with that whispered phrase, "you deserve more"...
Praise God for his unfailing love. Even in his corrections, his love can be seen so abundantly :)
In Jesus,
John
