Don't Despise the PROCESS

There is a lot to be said for the heart of a believer desperately desiring to be clean. However, "if you want the peanut butter jar to be empty, you've gotta make a lot of sandwiches!!!" We have ALREADY been delivered from all of our sins; our addictions; our unrighteousness; our pain. We do not always WALK in a manner that supports that statement, but that does not make it untrue.

Think about this, and research the truthfulness of this statement. Virtually ALL of the commands and exhortations and instructions in the New Testament of the Bible concern "getting your mind right," as I like to say. That is a process. We, as Christians, cannot handle going from being dirty, sinful creatures to being able to walk completely free in an instant. Mentally, we would freeze up and not know what to do. Exodus 23:20-33 displays this PRINCIPLE in natural terms, but ESPECIALLY verses 29-30:

"But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land."

Do not despise the process of God cleaning you out! No, you do not walk free from all of your foolish habits. That does not mean that you are not free. It means that you have not learned to walk free from it. The GOAL of your faith is the salvation of your soul (your MIND, your Will and your EMOTIONS). The only part of your soul that you can really control is your will. God will change the rest AS YOU DECIDE to follow Him and be obedient. (Philippians 2: 12-13). That process involves PAINFUL discipline, in the form of hardships. However, the result of that discipline is the holiness, righteousness and peace that you long for. (Hebrews 12:7-13). Do not despise the process!

If your soul was a peanut butter jar, then all of your
"foolishness" that is associated with your mind, will and emotions would be the peanut butter. For your soul to be completely clean, the knife has to be thrust in, twisted and scraped across SEVERAL times...

IF YOU WANT THE PEANUT BUTTER JAR TO BE EMPTY, YOU HAVE TO MAKE A LOT OF SANDWICHES!!!!!!!!!!!

:)

I love you!!!!