The Hose of Desire
Ambition and righteousness are not bed partners.
Confession time...
I find it far too easy to pursue godliness ambitiously, for personal gain.
My heart believes that there is honor and benefit to be considered as 'godly'.
Ambition has dulled any residual glow of holiness.
My heart even deceives me that my hunt for holiness is altruistic.
However, successfully my new spirit - the Lord's Holy Spirit within challenges and convinces me. (NB - He does not condemn, for condemnation is the voice of evil - see John 16:8-11) My heart now hears - please understand you are still self-serving in this ambition.
There remains no recess of this heart that satan has not corrupted. Subtly and successfully he has imparted an unknown quantity of his total depravity to me. He then watered it well via the hose of my desires. (see James 1:14)
Evil's desire that drives this battle is so I may too eternally burn with him in his sulfur-filled lake.
But I do absolutely believe there's more, far better than my mind knows or my words can pursue.
For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. (Galatians 5:5)
It is faith that twists the tap off on the hose of desire. I am counted as righteous now but will receive righteousness at the appointed time. It has never been my doing after all.
As ambition steals righteousness, faith restores it.
Today's Soul Snippet:
Grace is life's most attractive virtue.
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