Pursuit of Holiness

Been spending my time in The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. Something I read recently angered me:

But if we have been delivered from this realm, why do we still sin? Thought God has delivered us from the reign of sin, our sinful natures still reside within us. Even though sin’s dominion and rule are broken, the remaining sin that dwells in believers exerts a tremendous power, constantly working toward evil

Bridges, Jerry, The Pursuit of Holiness, Pages 57-58

I realized that my flesh was set on destroying me. The father of lies and my sinful nature were teaming up to see the crippling and hopefully the destruction of my relationship with my children, my wife and if possible a crumbling of my relationship with God. And this team did not play by any rules. There are no time outs, no unwritten rules against running up the score. Hitting below the belt, deception and kicking when down are encouraged..

All too often and all to easily I saw myself cooperating with their plan. Pride, selfishness, and idolatry kept putting my mind at ease and discouraging a fight.

I need to resume the fight. As John Piper says, I need to be killing sin or sin will be killing me. I need to “make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires”, [Romans 13:14] but instead do what the first half of that verse says” put on the Lord Jesus Christ”.

Lord, help me renew the battle against sin, my sinful nature and the devil. Help me to see that you are the richest treasure, my great reward. My greatest satisfaction can only be found in you.