It is Time to Strip (everything that weighs us down)
If you have a desire to go higher in the Lord, you must be willing to take off the things that separate you from Him. Jesus took on every burden that causes us concern or keeps us from Him. The sin that trips you up must be destroyed for you to be used by God. When it is too warm. You must remove layers of clothing, it is the same in the kingdom of God. When you are getting hotter and hotter for the Lord and the ministry, you must get rid of the activities that stop your elevation in Him.
Let’s look at a portion of scriptures that backs up this argument.
In the book of Hebrews, the writer proclaims that “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,
“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
Repeat after me, I am a child of the light.” (Hebrews 12:1-6 NLT)
We cannot continue to look like the world and think we are leading our non-believing neighbors to the Lord. Who are you fooling? No one. We of course are saved but we must be truly converted. What does God say about this? Here are a few scriptures that back answer that very question.
In the book of Romans, Paul writes “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2 NLT)
He also writes in the book of Ephesians in chapter four that “With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. (Ephesians 4:17-24 NLT)
My brothers and sisters, it is imperative to strip down and take off any sin, guilt, burden, hurt, pain, or wicked devise that separates you from reaching the highest levels with God.
Thank you for reading another Bishop’s Buzz. A buzz is not a buzz unless you share it!
God Bless,
Bishop Adam Blackstock