Throughout the New Testament Jesus laid out his expectations of his disciples. He didn’t ask the disciples to be more humble or selfless for that is impossible without Christ; he demanded that they lay their mission down and follow his.
Matthew 16
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
In regards to turning from our struggles Christ speaks to Timothy through Paul and encourages him to not simply turn from our ways of the world and the flesh but to RUN TOWARDS God’s grace and light.
2 Timothy 2
Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2:23 But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. 2:24 The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient, 2:25 in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, 2:26 and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.
As a man running from temptation seemed like a cheap way out. What I have learned the hard way is that there is no light on the other side of that temptation. Christ will fill you and I with his Spirit but we must turn towards him. I have been praying for deliverance from my temptation for years. I have to admit his response wasn't my first choice. "Isn't there something else I could do to attain purity" I often misquoted the popular verse
1 Corinthians 10:13
13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Wrestling with temptation is tiresome and futile when right behind us is Christ. He showed all mankind how to resist desires and weaknesses of the flesh and that is with our arms outstretched running to our Father.
I am turning my weakness into my testimony and I do this through Christ’s grace and mercy. He has called me into this new chapter of my life and is building me up daily as my focus is on him.
I have committed my last act of adultery.
I have committed my last act of disgracing God’s holy temple.
No longer shall I judge my behavior by the world’s standards.
Although I have a fouled up past I am setting my heart at Christ’s throne so that it may become pure.
I have committed my last act of fornication.
I am proclaiming this to the world as accountability is necessary.
I will lean on the strength of my community, my squad, my friends.
With the Race that lies ahead as the foundation I am setting my heart on purity.
Purity that is found by not only committing my body but my heart to Christ’s will.
