“We have everything we need to live in the flow of the new life and avoid the entanglements of the old. It’s there, it’s available, and we have the power to be done with anything that holds us back.”- Bob Merritt
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”- 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV)
As Bob Merritt continues Chapter 9 of Done With That, he notes four tensions or battlegrounds where we fight the battle between our old and new lives. In order to determine whether we’re losing or gaining ground, we must constantly monitor these four tensions. The four tensions:
- rebellion and obedience (covered in Chapter 9)
- possessions and people (Chapter 10)
- selfishness and sacrifice (Chapter 11)
- obsession and devotion (Chapter 12)
Furthermore, we find ourselves at peace with ourselves, God, and others when we experience more of the positives and less of the negatives. Thus, in the process, we discover the pathway to help us escape the struggle of the old life. Consequently, Pastor Merritt provides four steps to begin our ‘gardening.’ The author covers the first step today.
1. Pulling weeds. Although Jesus plants peace in the garden of our hearts, weeds also grow there. Weeds of pride, worry, selfishness, and unbelief. With the peace of mind and heart Jesus offers, however, we can face the world. In addition, we can smile, breathe, and laugh again. Hence, we need to pull the weeds.
Today’s question: What entanglements of your old life must you intentionally weed out of your heart garden? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Obedience requires actions – doing things!”
