A lesson in hatred!

I read a quote once that went something like: "the closer you draw to God; the humbler you will become." I don't know if I am getting closer to God but, I know that I am beginning to hate myself. I hate my desire to sin. I hate my love of this world. I hate my self-satisfying attitude. But I love it! I turn around and do exactly what I hate!


"Lord, save this wretch from my sin. Cause me to know your strength! Do not withhold thy loving kindness from me. Grant me courage to suffer for the cause of righteousness. Give me a hunger for your truth!"

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What I have been learning:
I am doing a very interesting study on suffering for the cause of the Gospel. One of the verses, which I will be using this Sunday, has become very special to me. It's 1 Peter 4:1 "Arm yourselves likewise with the same mind. For he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin." I have been struggling to understand all that this entire chapter meant, but esp. this verse. I was listening to several sermon mp3's. One of the ones by John Piper help me to understand this verse a little better. This verse does not mean that if you suffer persecution you will not sin. It means if you have the mindset of: "I am willing to suffer the ridicule or persecution that comes with taking a stand for Christ because, I know that God wants me to and, doing it will benefit me because God wants whats best for my life." When someone takes the Lord's name in vain and you say something, they probably aren't going to say: "I really respect you for that!" No, they will probably ridicule you. But if you keep reading the chapter it talks about the joy that the Lord gives for those that suffer for his sake. This is not a "past a smile on your face" joy. But this is a peace that God works all things for good to them that love him.

That is just a sneak preview of what im working on for Sunday. Keep praying, I have a long way to go until its complete!

John