“Disciples are created in the image of
God but are still sinful.”
This is one of the greatest difficulties in
Christianity. We
are a reflection of our Maker but we are like a mirror that
is cracked. Most
of the time what is seen is okay, but if one looks too
closely, they will see imperfections in the reflection and
it will not be 100% accurate.
We are born in sin but Christians have
been redeemed from that sin.
This means that we will not face the punishment that
we are due.
Unfortunately it does not mean that we are free from our
sinful nature as we will continue to struggle with this our
entire lives.
We struggle with the world, the flesh,
and the devil.
Every Christian has their own weaknesses and there is a
temptation to downplay one’s own weaknesses while denouncing
the weaknesses in others.
In the end, we need proper discipleship to overcome
whatever weaknesses that we struggle with.
Jesus gives us the standard for
resisting temptation.
In the desert He was tempted by the world (throw
yourself down from the temple) the flesh (turn these stones
to bread) and the devil (bow down and worship me).
Jesus resisted by quoting scripture each time, even
when Satan tried to twist it for his benefit.
Only with proper instruction through discipleship
will a believer know the Bible well enough that they can
consistently resist temptation.
Our desire to continue to learn about
God is a reflection of our being created in His image.
When people become too busy for discipleship or
otherwise resist it, it is a reflection of our fallen
nature. There
will always be some wins and losses in this battle, but
ultimately the goal is for more wins than losses.
As a person learns more, they can resist their fallen
nature and will want to learn even more.
But if a person resists, they will not be able to
withstand their fallen nature and may become more and more
entrenched in their resistance to discipleship.
The goal for ministry must be to break downward
spirals and instead create upward momentum that will carry a
believer to greater and deeper study of God’s Word.
