Cascade Courier - Your trusted local news source since 1910

Decades ago I heard this quip from a fellow Christian: "The nature you nurture is the one that will grow."

Two verses that paraphrase this quote are Rom. 8:13 "for if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

And Col. 3:5, "Therefore, treat the parts of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amount to idolatry."

Becoming God's child began when I repented from my sins and trusted Christ's grace, through faith. That's the first step. Then the "stepping" should continue as I walk under the Holy Spirit's control.

You will note the verbs in each verse above do not indicate a one-and-done event. No, rather, the verbs show an ongoing process. Thus, I will never arrive at sinlessness in this life.

So, whether I have an unchecked lust for food or possessions or sexual immorality or power or money, will all amount to idolatry), then I live in disobedience to God. These habits amount to idolatry, and as God's child, I must be "putting to death the deeds of the body."

It's called sanctification -- the ongoing process of always conforming and being conformed to the image of Christ.

Lord: Please help me rid myself of every obstacle that constitutes destructive and disobedient detours from the path you have for me to travel. Please guide and protect me on this journey as I submit to your precepts and will. Amen.

Norm Miller can be contacted at communications@montanacc.edu