01.17.07 thequest UPdate

thequest family,

In hanging out with some friends from Chicago this weekend, we spent some time with God. It was a sweet time. The Lord showed me something that I hadn't seen before.

I was reading along and the passage was talking about the struggle between sin and doing the right thing. It was even so bold as to say

"The one who does what is sinful is of the devil..."

Right there I am thinking...wow...I'm miserable. I'm in real trouble. Fortunately the context doesn't leave that as the conclusion.


"The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. Those who are born of God will not continue to sin..."

I am ready to give Jesus a High-5 and say thank you right there. Jesus is destroying the destroyer...a very ironic and comforting statement.

I'm always asking the question "How?" So I asked it...and the passage goes on...

"Those who are born of God will not continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God." *

Then like an unexpected firework, it exploded in my mind--God planted a seed of HIMSELF in us. That seed, like all seeds, starts small. But seeds grow and grow and mature and expand into what they are meant to be. God Himself plants Himself in us. And His presence in our life grows and pushes out the sin of our life.

Those born of God--that is having His Life--are described as having the seed of God in them.

Take great comfort if you are a follower of Jesus, that God has implanted Himself in YOU. May His presence and impact in your life grow every day till we see him face to face!

Press on,
Mike

*1 John 3:8-9 Today's New International Version*

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