Thursday, July 21, 2011

The Beauty of Self-Control


Self-control is not a scary and valiant pledge of obedience to do something difficult. “I promise to be good, God!” Self-control means living in keeping with who we have become—actual Spirit-born sons of God. And it means living like that with everyone else. But when we’re not impressed with who we are, self-control feels like a fight to become something we’re not yet, like a bad person having to become a good person, an impossible work we have to create. Instead, we are each a work already done. (1 Thessalonians 5:4-11)

(Excerpted from my book, God’s Astounding Opinion of You, chapter 14: Stripping Mummies—Finding Freedom and Life Outside the Tomb. http://lifecourse.org/Ralphs_B​ook.html)

5 comments:

  1. Sarah Joy Oaklief9:44 AM

    Totally needed that this morning, Ralph. I feel like this is a daily fight for me. In other areas of my life, I have experienced SO, SO much freedom, but not this one.

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  2. Rebecca Johanson Lucas12:52 PM

    Thanks for the link, I just ordered your book! :)

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  3. Nicole Peterson12:59 PM

    Ralph, you have no idea how much I miss hearing you every week!!!

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  4. Woody Woodward3:59 PM

    If self-control is the "fruit of the Spirit", and the battle is between flesh and Spirit, then I wonder if self-control is very simply: Spirit controlling self? Self-control never happens when I try to live in keeping with who God says I am (self-discipline); it happens when He causes it to happen. The chasm is as wide as the difference between intentional and instinctual. And instinctual is miracle... as natural as breathing.

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  5. Well said, Woody. As you know, I love being filled and controlled by God who lives in me and with whom I am in union. It’s my favorite thing. Knowing who I am because of Him produces faith in me and “moves me” toward Him. In that fascination and wonder, He produces fruit—the life of Christ in me.

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