All In, Week 3: Trying vs. Training

(Colossians 2:6-7) (NLT) And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.  Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.   (Colossians 2:8) (NLT) Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.   (Romans 7:15) (NLT) I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.   Trying vs. Training   1.    It becomes a part of our identity 2.    We feel increasingly hopeless 3.    We get defensive   4.    We become a slave   5.    We begin to lose our life. (Romans 6:12-14) (NLT) Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.  Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, (Romans 6:12-14) (NLT) Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.   Basic Training   1.    Be Consistent (Luke 14:18-20) (NLT) But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I now have a wife, so I can’t come.’   2.    Be Strategic   (Proverbs 29:18) (CEB) When there’s no vision, the people get out of control, but whoever obeys instruction is happy. 3.    Be Accountable (Proverbs 18:1) (NKJV) A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. 4.    Be Balanced (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) (NLT) Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?   (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) (NLT) What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?   (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) (NLT) And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.   (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) (NLT) As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.