Our will will follow what our heart delights in.

What is the remedy for repeated sins in our lives? It’s not will power since it is our very will that gets weakened when we are tempted. It is what our heart delights in. We sin because we delight in it. We need to delight in something greater than sin if we are to stop that sin.

Christianity offers that source of delight. Christianity is not about exercising our will power or gritting our teeth to obey something even though we don’t like it. It is willing submission to God because we see that He is better than any alternative.

“Christian freedom is not the freedom to choose; it’s the transcendence of choice!” (John Piper quoting St. Augustine)

Imagine my daughter fell into an icy lake. Objectively speaking, I have a choice. I can either watch her die rather than risking my life or I can jump in trying to save her. But would I be thinking about that choice? No. My love for my daughter compels me to rise above that choice and throw myself in. That choice would be irrelevant.

Imagine we saw Jesus in all His beauty, majesty, and joy. Objectively speaking, we have a choice to follow after sex, money, fame, or Him. But would we be thinking about that choice? No. Our joy in Him would be so much greater that that choice would be irrelevant.

Jesus is better. Better than what? He’s better than money, sex, fame, physical fitness, friends, and even family. How do I get you to see it? How do I get myself to see it? I can’t. Only God can. It has to be the Spirit of God that opens our eyes so that Jesus becomes better than all our desires and longings. (Eph. 1)

Would you pray for me that that would be true of me? Would you pray for your spouse and children that that would be true? Would you pray for yourself that that would be true?

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Matt 16:25

Why would anyone give up this life to follow Jesus? When He sees that life Jesus gives is better. Far better…

PH