I once had a fat fly buzzing around my office. The plan was to ignore it and remain focused on the reading in which I was engaged.
However, the more I tried to focus, the more the fly got my attention. So a new plan emerged and it was capital punishment for the fly. God father reference: the fly would swim with the fishes.
I got up and began following it all around the office. Swing and miss, swing and a miss. I am no Babe Ruth, the sultan of swat! Follow it some more until I realized that I was now completely distracted from my reading.
I had gone from being emerged in reading to erratically following a fly.
This is so much like life, even life for the believer.
We discussed the reality for every person born into this world, no matter if you are born in America or Angola, if you are born, you inherit the rebellion of Adam. For those who are born again, in Christ, we inherit His righteousness.
Which brings up a good question: What if that old Saab, after repaired, broke again? What if that synchronizer went out again?
It is a good question because even though we are born again, forgiven and in Christ, there are times when we still sin.
We are trying to live focused on the Christian life yet we are distracted, just as I was with that fly in my office.
When we are living this life in Christ as a believer, and a follower, it doesn’t mean that sin won’t distract us and take our attention off the Christ we love.
I say this as an encouragement because as we strive for holiness, we are still in this body. It can be temptations and harassment from the enemy. For it is true that “Satan walks about like a lion, seeking who he may devour” but most often the source of our sin is . . . our flesh.
When we were born again, our ability to sin was not removed. What did happen is our hearts were changed and we desired passionately to obey God. We are disappointed when we do fall short and are given a will to love God’s word and to seek God. (Jeremiah 31:31; Ezekiel 36:25-27).
We have always been and always will be solely dependent upon Jesus.
As always, S.D.G.
