"The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and to be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2.9-11. I was very much encouraged by this verse this week. How, you may ask, can a verse like this encourage me? Well this verse so clearly shows me that I am not of this world or of this age, but that I am a child of God in Jesus Christ and have new godly desires in the Holy Spirit. I do not believe what is false but it is very evident to me that I know and love and believe the truth, and my pleasure is not in unrighteousness but in righteousness. In fact I can strongly say that my desire for the kingdom of God is not to escape from this world (although I am looking forward to that) but to be fully righteous in every faculty of my new being while living in a righteous environment where there is no more sin, in the presence of a Holy and Righteous God. I thank God I am not blind, not deceived, not deluded, following Satan after false signs and wonders, but God has opened my eyes and made me a lover of truth in Christ.
A believer in Christ is a supernaturally transformed person and this transformation applies to desires as well as thoughts. These new desires and thoughts in our human nature need to be supported daily by submitting our bodies to them and by saying no to those old and long-resident desires and thoughts generated in us by inherited and practiced sin. The Christ-like transformation is gradual and conflict is certain for those who choose this narrow road. We also help ourselves in this transformation by daily Bible reading and meditation, prayer, service and fellowship with like minded saints. Each believer is promised final glorification by the fact of their being foreknown, predestined, called and justified (Romans 8.29) but a number of believers seem to only casually pursue this road of transformation promised to all. May God give each of us a greater understanding and determination in accordance with Paul's prayer, "that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead". [Philippians 4.10-11]
Nice, thanks Ron. The transformation occurs because, and as, Christ Himself lives in us. We become like Christ because Christ lives through us. Truly amazing and impossible to fully understand with these limited brains. It's obvious Christ is living through you, and I praise God for that!
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