Now that removal of a barrier has been completed the second step can be applied--replacement. Removal through confession is just the first step. If you do not replace the void left with God's truth and then act on it repeatedly it will return with a vengeance.
The following steps are what is meant by replacement. They include repentance - a true turning away from sin and a turning to God. It is a recognition that you are under new management and belong to the family of God in all it represents both in responsibilities and benefits. It requires replacement of the old with the new. It is a commitment to ongoing renewal in the word, being restored by it through obedience to it by the power of the Holy Spirit. And finally, it mean recalibration - a tuning of your heart to the heart of God, seeing the world as He sees it, livng in accordance with His guidelines and commands, realigning your character in accordance with the character of Christ.
5. Repentance (Turning) Matthew 3:8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Luke 13:3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 26:20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 6. Replacement (Substitution) John 8:31-32To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 7. Renewal/Restoration (Action) James 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:20-22 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. James 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. Romans 12:1-3 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 8. Recalibration (Alignment) Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
As I have thought about the "4 R's", I wrote this prayer:
Lord, may I be so in tune with Your Word that I can discern error and darkness even when it appears as truth and light.
I don't want any distorted concepts of You to come between us. Correct me where my concepts are wrong so I can know You in complete truth.
Help me keep my eyes on what You want done in my life, not on the seemingly impossible hindrances that keep me from growing in You.
Teach me to practice, Father, the awareness of Your presence and accept the sufficiency of Your attributes.
I refuse Satan's strategy to divide our homes by quenching our love or overemphasizing rules. Help me do my part to keep our home united in You.
I also ask, Lord, that I would be so sensitive to Your Spirit and full of faith that my prayers will be in harmony with Your will.
Father, I know You can remove Your blessing from me if I move out from under Your protection and authority. I acknowledge today that You are in charge of my life.
Lord, I really want Your truth and the freedom it brings in my life. Help me face up to the truth, receive it and act on it today. Because in Christ, I am important, I am qualified, I am justified. And Satan can do absolutely nothing to alter my position in Christ and my worth to God.
Father I pray that as I study Your word, and as I grow through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, would you continue to fill me with discernment, courage and strength to overcome every roadblock put in front of me from Satan. And may Your truth reign in my life, to free me from lies and deception.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
Posted by: Randy Knowles | February 17, 2009 at 04:15 PM