A difficult series of blogs to write (Blogs 55-61). Negatively critiquing the work of my dear brothers and sisters in the faith gives me no pleasure. Brothers and sisters that—with nothing but the best of intentions—are also tirelessly and sincerely striving to glorify God and edify the Church. But neither can I remain silent. I cannot sit on news that can benefit untold numbers of still-struggling fellow believers (see www.wileygrafbooks.com/news/fresh-hope-for-the-83-percent-v9). I cannot sit on news that heaps praise on the oft-forgotten God of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. News that could potentially even help to ignite revival in the Church—a Holy Spirit Revival (see www.wileygrafbooks.com/news/revival-in-the-church-v8)! I take no pleasure in negative critiquing, but neither can I remain silent. I must share what I have learned firsthand of the Holy Spirit’s exceeding abundant inner-working power (Ephesians 3:20) to deliver believers from addictive lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16)!
All of the higher profile Bible-based purity programs insist that accountability is the addict’s only way of escape from addictive lusts of the flesh. But Scripture clearly teaches that there is another way. A wholly Spirit-powered way (Galatians 5:16). The first in a series of two blogs (1-of-2) that question whether accountability is the only God-Designed Way of Escape.
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
QUESTION #1 (of 2)
Flesh-starving accountability works. It has been proven in both the World and in Bible-based purity programs. But flesh-starving accountability-based escape is extremely difficult. It’s hard work. Extremely hard work (see www.wileygrafbooks.com/news/the-hardest-thing-v9). Which begs the question: Is flesh-starving accountability the only God-Designed Way of Escape from addictive lusts of the flesh? If Salvation is by Grace, why would escape only be by works?
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Salvation is by grace, through faith, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). But then the Biblical God of Infinite Mercy and Grace did an about-face and decided to make escape from addictive lusts of the flesh the hardest thing that an addict will ever do in his life. Hmmm ...
If Salvation is by Grace (and it most assuredly is), why would escape only be by works? Extremely difficult works. Something to think about the next time you hear that grit-your-teeth, strap-yourself-in, white-knuckle-it accountability is the only God-Designed Way of Escape from addictive lusts of the flesh.
If Salvation is by Grace, why would escape ONLY be by works?
A GAME-CHANGING BOOK HAS ARRIVED
In A Way of Escape, readers learn how to escape lusts of the flesh—not by starving the flesh, but—by feeding the Spirit. Readers learn how stepping up the degree to which they “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16) results in a much easier-to-successfully-navigate Escape Route. An Escape Route that is theologically more consistent with the Biblical Doctrine of Salvation by Grace. Readers learn how to build a library of Spirit-anointed, flesh-diffusing apps. Apps that are uniquely fitted to them, and their unique Spirit-filling triggers (Ephesians 5:18b-19).
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
The still-struggling now have another option. The still-struggling now have fresh hope for discovering that long-sought-after way of escape from temptation and resulting sin (I Corinthians 10:13). A way that—because it is wholly Spirit-powered—does not require enlisting the aid of an accountability partner or group. Truly, a game-changer!
THANK YOU, HOLY SPIRIT!
