Our walk with Christ is like two parallel tracks. One track is what Christ has already done and continues to do. The other track is what is ours to do.
When we come to Christ, He gives us a new nature. We who were formerly in darkness are ushered into His kingdom of light. The Holy Spirit takes up residence in us and begins to sanctify us from moment to moment until one day when we will be with the Lord in glory!
While we're here, we have work to do. The writer of Hebrews describes it as a race that is set before us. But we're going to need to throw off some bad habits that will weigh us down as we go. And we have an enemy. He has watched us and knows our patterns. Our bent. He knows what trips us up. And he is intent on making sure we stumble and fall.
This week we're going to explore some of the possible "sins that entangle" us. But today, let's pray that God would show us anything that is hindering us and ask for help as we run this race.
Father, thank You that You justified me by faith and now I have peace with You through Jesus. Thank You that I now have obtained an introduction by faith into this grace in which I now stand. (Romans 5:1-2) I thank You that I can rest in knowing that You know me. When I sit. When I rise. You know my thoughts from afar. My path. My lying down. And You are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Lord, before a word is even on my tongue, You know it all. Search me O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any hurtful way in me and lead me in Your everlasting way. (Psalm 139:1-4,23-24)
Establish my footsteps in Your word and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me. (Psalm 119:133) Also keep me from presumptuous sins, let them not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and I will be acquitted of great transgression. Let the word of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:13-14)
Father, do not let sin reign in my body. Keep me from presenting my body and my mind to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but help me by the power of Your Spirit to present myself to You as an instrument of righteousness. (Romans 6:12-13) Father, remove anything that would keep me. hinder me or entangle me as I run this race which You have ordained for me. In Jesus' name, Amen.