I've found I wander into this mistake/conflate faith and love of others if I don't constantly refocus, re-center, or question my actions on a regular basis..... **sermon saved** I find it funny that the sermons/teachings that hit me the most.... powerful messages..... have been almost hardly "viewed" on here.... funny how that works ;-P Praise Jesus' name.. Although technology is an incredibly dangerous thing, spiritually, if not used responsibly (an amazing tool, but one that has the potential to take your arm off, or kill you), I am so incredibly grateful for how accessible it has made sermons like this.
This sermon is hard to swallow, because throughout it he address the "newborn" but are these really things newborn Christians can grasp? Its almost discouraging at times. I am on a path of learning these principles and applying them to my life, but only after being a Christian for many many years and diligently seeking the face of God. If I heard this sermon when I was 16 (now 33) I would just throw up my hands and say its impossible to love God. Only now am I able to really grasp what he is say
Jessica, Correct. You must throw up your hands and admit to yourself that it is impossible to love God in your old nature. Ask God for a new or born again heart. That is what happened to me before I surrender my will to God. He is faithful and will renew your character if you will just trust and believe. This is not of yourself.... It is a gift of God. Further, he expressed to the Ephesians that it was by grace that they were saved through faith: “and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9)
