The Root of the Problem: Chapter 17 – Lack of Urgency (Excerpt)

May 20, 2011 by

The Root of the Problem (cover)Sadly, this is the attitude many people take toward sin. They know they need to correct sin. They know they need to repent. They know that they must strive for perfection (Matthew 5:48). But they hold on to sin anyway. After all, there is plenty of time for correction later, right? Can we not enjoy sin for a little while now, and give it up at some point in the future?

While many people have a casual attitude toward repentance and obedience, the Bible presents these as urgent matters. When there are things in our lives that need to be corrected, we must do so without delay.

Notice the following passages: “And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain – for He says, ‘At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.’ Behold, now is ‘the acceptable time,’ behold, now is ‘the day of salvation’” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).

The acceptable time to take advantage of God’s salvation is not some day in the future. It is now. Today is the day of salvation, as Paul says. If we need to give up sin, today is the day to do it, not some time later in our future.

You can read more about the urgent need to repudiate sin and prepare for judgment in The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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The Root of the Problem: Chapter 16 – Lack of Self-Control (Excerpt)

May 13, 2011 by

The Root of the Problem (cover)“And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me’” (Luke 9:23).

Jesus says we are to deny ourselves. That is, we must exercise control over our minds and our hearts so that we might submit to His will and follow Him rather than follow after our own desires. He says it will require a daily effort to do this. We must remain firm in our resolve to overcome sin and to follow His will.

There will be times when we might want to quit the battle against sin. We may want to temporarily surrender and give a little bit of ground to our enemy. But we must not do this. It will not work for us to strive to overcome sin only when we feel up to the challenge or when it is convenient. We must strive to overcome sin at all times – daily, as Jesus said. So we must learn to exercise self-control – denying ourselves in order to follow Christ.

You can read more about the need for self-control and how to develop it in The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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The Root of the Problem: Chapter 15 – Making Sin a Habit (Excerpt)

May 6, 2011 by

The Root of the Problem (cover)Sadly, many have developed a habit of sin. They have sinned so often that they now do it without even thinking. This is a very dangerous condition. We cannot repent of sin unless we first see the sin that is in our lives. The occasional sin is easier to see. It stands out to us – not just because it is out of character for us to engage in a certain behavior, but because we have to make the conscious decision to ignore what we know to be right in order to do what is wrong.

Habitual sins are able to hide because we do not think about them. Our decision to commit them is often unconscious. This does not excuse the action. Sin is sin, no matter how much thought we put into it. But when sin becomes a normal part of our routine, not only will our habitual sins continue, but the door will be wide open for other sins to enter into our life.

You can read more about the practice of habitual sins through the searing of the conscience in The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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The Root of the Problem: Chapter 14 – Difficult Circumstances (Excerpt)

April 29, 2011 by

The Root of the Problem (cover)Teaching that difficult circumstances are no excuse for sin does not make one insensitive about the plight of others. It does not indicate a lack of concern for those with a troubled life. “But you don’t know what my life is like!” That may be true. (Then again, you don’t know what my life is like either – it works both ways.) But we do know what the word of God says.

“Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Romans 6:11-13).

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

We are to put away sin. If we fail to do so, we will receive the wages that are due us for our sin. There is no exception to this on account of our circumstances. (p. 85-86)

You can read more about being faithful to God in the midst of hardships and difficulties in The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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The Root of the Problem: Chapter 13 – Failure to Prioritize (Excerpt)

April 22, 2011 by

The Root of the Problem (cover)“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

Where does sin appear on our list of priorities? Does it have a place there? Really, it should not be on our list at all if we truly value the things that are spiritual and eternal. Our souls are far too important to lose on account of anything this world has to offer.

How do we make sure our priorities are in order? Ask yourself two questions:

1. What can you obtain without God?

2. What do you stand to gain with God?

You can read more about what is truly and eternally important in The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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