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Week 3

The things that happened to those people are examples. They were written down to teach us, because we live in a time when all these things of the past have reached their goal. If you think you are strong, you should be careful not to fall. The only temptation that has come to you is that which everyone has. But you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it…

“We are allowed to do all things,” but all things are not good for us to do. “We are allowed to do all things,” but not all things help others grow stronger. Do not look out only for yourselves. Look out for the good of others also. 1 Corinthians 10:11-13, 23-24 (NCV)

Are there things in my life that are “permissible” but not beneficial or constructive to my life? I could qualify that and say my ‘spiritual’ life but my spiritual life IS my life. Maybe it makes me feel better to try to separate my ‘spiritual’ life from the rest of my life but there really isn’t any separation possible. If I want God to be in my life (guide, director, protector) then do I separate my life into rooms and invite Him into some but then turn and say, “Hey, Lord, uh…I gotta go do something in here so why don’t You just hang out over there?!”

So as I look at the TOTAL rooms in my life are there ‘hairballs’ under the bed and ‘cobwebs’ in the upper corners that while not causing an overt health problem, they are not inviting the Lord into a clean house. AND when I invite others in (to hang around me) whether they are believers or not, they notice the ‘dirt’ and wonder just what kind of spiritual housekeeper I am!

I don’t want my life to be just a place for ‘SHOW’. I want my life to be a place that the Lord desires to use it as His dwelling. God is holy. There is no compromise. He comes closer to me as I leave behind the ‘sin that so easily entangles’ (Hebrews 12:1) and move closer to His holiness. God does not force His glory or His presence on me. He allows me to refuse His invitation. He desires that I choose Him and choose to be holy. He gives me the Holy Sprit that is the ‘voice’ inside of me reminding me of the Father’s words and wisdom. I have all I need to build a temple where God lives. It is a ‘glass’ temple that allows God to shine forth so that all others see, all that they remember, is Him.

So prepare your minds for service and have self-control. All your hope should be for the gift of grace that will be yours when Jesus Christ is shown to you. Now that you are obedient children of God do not live as you did in the past. You did not understand, so you did the evil things you wanted. But be holy in all you do, just as God the One who called you, is holy. It is written in the Scriptures: “You must be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 (NCV)

Questions: Are there things in my life that are “permissible” but not beneficial or constructive to my life?

Are there parts of my life that I do not allow Jesus to have total access?