Dear friends ~
Fall is often our busiest time of the year. The season heralds increased intensity for many we see here at Shammahs Field. Subsequently, we find ourselves in need of more grace, stamina, and Holy Spirit’s ministry to our own hearts and minds to meet them where they are. We require His strength for every need; they are many. For those who have a heart to pray for us, bless you. We’re grateful too for every reader; thank you.
This newsletter article is a bit longer but so important:
THE QUESTION OF SIN
Recently I, Wayne, had occasion to answer a question that once again brought to the forefront and out into the open a mindset within the Christian community: “Do you believe that we can live life without sinning?” The individual went on to state, “I have heard many say that we can never live in this life without sinning.”
I politely asked, “Then why does God say ‘you shall be holy for I am holy?'” I Peter 1:16
Reflecting back on this conversation, I too remember hearing it stated that we cannot live in this life without sinning. As I began to search scripture I found it is stated four times, “You shall be holy for I am holy.”
While I was reading I found a passage that the Holy Spirit directed me to in Hebrews 4:2 –
For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. (NASB)
The writer of Hebrews is referring to the children of Israel after they left the slavery of Egypt. It is also a correlation to our journey in this life with the hope of entering the kingdom of God. Just as the Israelites needed faith, so do we. Our faith is in a sinless Savior, Jesus Christ.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:14-16
It appears to me that if we have faith in our Savior and faith in our Heavenly Father, we have access to eternal resources, not just our natural, limited, human abilities. It also means that we recognize that apart from Christ’s strength and intervention in our lives, we are powerless to overcome sin in this life.
As a result of our own personal healing journey the Lord has taken us on, we’re continuing to learn the mind of Christ and experience the ways of the Lord. How well we know that His ways of thinking, doing and being are not the same as ours. Still, His intention is that we shall be holy as He is holy. Sin need not remain.
- We now understand we must sever the roots of sin in our life.
- The structures that cause us to return to sin must be dismantled.
- It is necessary to cleanse our generational lines from the iniquities that influence our actions.
- We need to receive healing for those areas where we have been wounded.
- Forgiveness, which is often difficult if not impossible, is completed by the appropriate response from a heart yielded to the Lord.
Consequently, we are discovering a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, with Father God, and with the Holy Spirit that causes us to say, “We delight to do your will, O God.”
We believe it is possible to overcome sin while living in this life – by exchanging our will for His.
Many years ago we put our hand to the plow in harness with the Lord, begging Him to till the ground of our messed-up lives, no matter what. It has been a journey of obedience, perseverance and no turning back. Obviously it has not always been easy or pleasant, but He is thorough and effective, truly loving and kind.
Slowly but surely we have come to the place where we can testify that whole tracts of our lives have been redeemed from our sinful natures and reclaimed as holy ground for the Lord Jesus Christ to the glory of the Father. We’re still in process. Yet with every yielding by faith to the Word we have heard, sin is overcome.
…whenever a person turns [in repentance] to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom). [Isaiah 61:1,2] And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit. – II Corinthians 3:16-18 Amplified
We invite you to join us by faith as you live in this life in repentance that transfigures us into His very own image; ever increasing by the Spirit of the Lord.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
~ Wayne, with Nancy
If we may be of help to you in your life journey of faith, we welcome your inquiry.
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