The Plumbline

O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. (Psalm 86:5 NLT) Did you ever stop to think that the struggle you keep engaging in is because you really haven't asked God for help? Oh, sure, you ask in a casual sense, "God, help me get over this issue," then you don't stop to listen to what he says might be at the root of it. Later, as the issue arises time and time again, you get rather defeated because you don't know why it is still an issue. Perhaps it is because the issue is not the problem - it is us not really wanting to engage with God long enough and often enough to really fix whatever it is within us that makes the issue no longer an issue. He stands ready to forgive. We often ask for forgiveness and deliver our half-hearted plea to 'never do it again' and 'I just wanna be free of this', but then when the temptation arises again, there we go down that rabbit hole once more. Forgivenes...

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. (Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT) Since - you used to live one way, but now you are called to live another. The precipitating factor to live differently? You know Jesus and have asked him to be your Lord and Savior. The result? You live differently - making different choices, casting off things within your 'former life' that did not bring honor to him, and focusing on those things that do.  Instead - replace one thing with another. Jesus never asks us to lay aside or cast away anything in our lives that is 'worthwhile' or truly of 'value'. He may ask us to leave some activities because they are a 'time suck' for us, or they aren't doing much to imp...