Unruined

UNRUINED

I have the privilege right now to teach a class on spiritual formation in the Keswick Institute of Biblical Studies. Last evening during the class several of the guys who are either Colony grads or residents right now talked about what a mess their lives were when they entered the Colony.

During the discussion, we ran across a line in our textbook, "Renovation of the Heart," by Dallas Willard. He talks about the fact that all of us were "ruined" in the Fall, but that we have been "unruined" in Christ. As we talked about the concept of being "unruined," I reminded the guys of what all of us were before Christ; we were all a mess, whether we entered the Colony or not.

Last Sunday morning Robert Hayes had some of our people at First Baptist/Toms River do a really unique reading of 2 Corinthians 5:17.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." We are "unruined!"

Freedom Fighters need to understand that concept. Even on the bad days after coming to Christ, we're still "unruined." We won't get it right all the time. When we don't, Satan will try to make us think we're still what we used to be. We're not! We've been "unruined" by the reconciling work of Jesus Christ on the cross. (See 2 Corinthians 5:19&21)

Rejoice this weekend in the fact that you've been "unruined." Ask God to help you live out that condition day by day. Practice being "unruined" by drawing near to God and resisting the devil (James 4:7&8) Spend more time pursuing who you are now and less time regretting who you used to be.

"Unruined" is much better than "ruined." Being alive in Christ is much better than being dead in trespasses and sins. Believe what God says to you. Reject the lies the devil throws at you. You and I are "unruined!" Praise be to God! - Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist of Toms River
http://www.fbctomsriver.com/

God's Word for YOU today: 1 Chronicles 22-24; John 8:28-59

Think About This: If you trust yourself to walk in the light of your own conscience, uninstructed or little instructed by the Word of God, you will end up doing things that you are deeply and sincerely convinced are right. But they may be terribly hurtful and destructive within the Church. R. C. Stedman