You are fighting with a dead man!

Col. 3:2,3 "Set your affection [mind] on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."

Rom. 6:6,7,11,12 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

11. likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."

The Christian who finds rest and peace in serving God, is the one who believes that Jesus died for the whole person, and not just parts of him.

Quit fighting with your "self", and begin to rest in the finished work of Christ! "Your old man is crucified with Him...". Quit using self effort to fight 'self', and allow God's grace to perfect you. Jesus will finish what He has started in you, if you will get out of the way, and let him do what needs to be done. The Holy Spirit is your counselor, teacher, comforter, and guide: start trusting Him, and relying on Him.

Too many schizophrenic Christians have split themselves up into two or more parts, and are trying to fight themselves. Don't waste your time trying to do what Jesus has already done! He has died on your behalf, in other words, He has died AS you. If he died for you and as you, than, the old you must be dead!

You will never, by your own efforts, be able to eradicate your selfishness and your self- centered viewpoint. The only remedy for the old man of sin, is death on the cross. Jesus said "Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me".

Self cannot nail self to the cross, but you can reckon yourself to be dead with Him; dead to the old sin nature, and alive to the righteousness that is in Christ.

When Jesus was nailed to the cross, you were nailed to the cross, (along with all your sins, shortcomings,faults and failures). By faith, you can believe the word of His grace, and find rest and victory! You are redeemed, and your sins are forgiven!

Are you 'born again'?, if so, the old you is dead, and the new you is now alive in Christ. The seed has fallen into the ground and it has died; something new has been born, and it is alive with resurrection power. You are one spirit with the Lord. He is in you, and you are in Him!

Sin has no more dominion (control) over you, you are now a child of grace. The law cannot give you victory over your sinful nature, only grace can prevail.

You are "alive unto God", enjoy it! You are a new creation, act like it!

You are accepted in the beloved, Your Heavenly Father loves you very much, Just as you are! Quit beating up your 'self', and trying to crucify him; instead, consider the old you to be dead, and begin to enjoy your life of victory in Christ. He is your peace and your power !

Self fighting 'self' is a lost cause, trusting Jesus is your victory! Holiness is the life of Christ flowing through the new person that he has created. The death and resurrection of Jesus, is more than an historical fact, it is the present reality of every born again believer.

You don't need to fully understand the mystery of God's redeeming grace in order to accept it by faith. God supplies the faith that we need in order to trust Him, and the understanding of His ways will come, as we get to know Him better.

There is a rest for the people of God, and any truly good works or godly behavior that we do, are the result of us (as new creations), resting in the finished work of Jesus.

Phil. 2:13 "For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

God bless you, as you trust in His grace!

Rev, Chuck Loubert