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 third in a series of five blogs (3-of-5) that attempts to explain how easily Bible-based purity programs could have missed the Bible’s wholly Spirit-Powered Escape Plan. The third in a series of five blogs examining Bible-based (but Spirit-passive!) purity programs.
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
THE CASE OF THE MISSING BIBLE PASSAGES
He shot and killed a savage hound to save the life of Sir Henry Baskerville. Foiled the plots of fifth columnist Nazi sympathizers in wartime London. And regularly thwarted Professor James Moriarty’s diabolical plans. But this one has Holmes stumped.
London’s Christian bookstores are awash with purity-based books and purity programs that are missing key purity-based Bible passages. Whole books and whole programs that never once cite Galatians 5:16. Other familiar purity-based passages (e.g., Ephesians 3:20-21, Romans 8:1-4, and Romans 8:12-13) are also missing. Holmes has never been more baffled! Not surprisingly, Watson is also clueless. 😊
How could these classic purity-based Bible passages not even be cited in books and programs devoted to the Christian and his pursuit of purity? The (mythical) New London Standard (NLS) version of the Bible has only recently gone to press; is there a mole in the NLS Publishing House? Are London’s bookstores the only ones impacted, or is this a worldwide phenomenon? Is Moriarty again somehow involved? Follow the trail of clues in the Great Detective’s most baffling case to date, The Case of the Missing Bible Passages. Spoiler Alert: Its solution is elementary, my dear reader (see below).
A GAME-CHANGING BOOK HAS ARRIVED
In A Way of Escape, readers learn that these classic purity-based Bible passages have not gone missing after all. They may still be found in their usual locations in the Bible Books of Galatians, Ephesians, and Romans (yes, even in the mythical NLS version). Moreover, readers learn how to apply these passages in their war against the flesh. Readers learn how to overcome the flesh by stepping up the degree to which they “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). They 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!
EPILOGUE: HOW MOST PURITY PROGRAMS HAVE MISSED WHOLLY SPIRIT-POWERED ESCAPE
Why had these classic purity-based Bible passages gone missing in the first place? Watson is still clueless. But Holmes has a couple theories.
All builders of Bible-based purity programs were aware of these purity-based Bible passages, of course. But some were simply unsure how to apply them in the war against the flesh (see www.wileygrafbooks.com/news/applied-theology-v9). Others, content with having found one way of escape from sexual sin (albeit an extremely difficult one to successfully navigate—see www.wileygrafbooks.com/news/the-hardest-thing-v9), simply stopped searching for other easier-to-successfully-navigate, wholly Spirit-powered ways.
The case solved, and details of its solution made public, Holmes is cautiously optimistic that these classic purity-based Bible passages will begin to be incorporated into more books and programs devoted to the Christian and his pursuit of purity. Along with instructions on how to apply them in the war against the flesh. Time will tell. Stay tuned.
