CWW Week 21 – Day 4 – Conquering The Dragon

Special mention to Marvin Moore who’s book Conquering The Dragon Within is the foundation of our ongoing work.

Scripture

1 John 2:1 (NKJV) 

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

This verse is part of a letter by the Apostle John, emphasising the importance of avoiding sin and highlighting that, in the event of sin, Jesus Christ serves as an advocate or mediator with God the Father.

Marvin Moore provides the best explanation of justification and sanctification I have ever read. In his book Conquering The Dragon Within he describes the entire process by using an offshore oil rig as an example.

The rig is made up of a stable platform that is firmly anchored to the sea floor and is strong enough to withstand the strongest gales and stormiest of seas. It is on top of the platform is where all the work is done. If the platform is not stable then the work can easily be brought undone.

Jesus Christ is our platform. He is the rock solid foundation on which we stand when we do the all important drilling for righteousness. His purpose for us is to develop strength of character with confidence knowing that He has already accepted our desire to walk with Him and He will protect us and keep us in His strength.

The good deeds required of us is simply character development and we cannot begin to do that work with certainty until we step onto the platform. 

Here it’s worth looking at todays verse again. God’s desire for us is that we don’t sin, but John goes on to say that if we do stumble that we have an advocate in Jesus who stands with us.

Complete victory is God’s goal for us, but he is very realistic about the probability of our achieving that on the first try.

The bottom line is this. Don’t expect to overcome all of your temptations on the first try. In fact don’t expect to overcome them without a long and severe struggle. Discouragement and structural failure happen when we expect instant victory as even remotely possible and sustainable.

Some Christians have the wrong handle on this when they say things like “transformation happens instantly and if you find yourself still falling into sin then that’s proof you haven’t been converted.” Everything I understand tells me that this is rubbish.

Marvin Moore quotes something he read when he says “I ran across a gem of a quotation that was written by a group of Christians involved in a twelve step recovery program: ‘It’s foolish not to anticipate relapses.’

Some Christians get upset at this notion and will tell us that “there is never an excuse for sinning” This is true. There is no excuse for sinning as much as there is a reason. As we search for that reason we develop character that sustains us as the journey gets tougher.

We must be realistic. We must never expect instant success and total victory over sin in our lives and that there won’t be new sins that emerge. God doesn’t demand it and we are foolish to expect it.

God never wastes a hurt. And hurt comes from sin, and this clearly indicates to me that God is expecting us to make mistakes and in the process to call on Him to steer us on a steady course.

I am a perfect example of imperfection. I have stood and fallen, stood and fallen and stood and fallen so many times, but I still have skin in the game. I remain ever more determined to strive as God requires me to. I surround myself with incredible people who are honest about their own failings, who hold me to account because they love me as I love them.

One step forward and two steps back but then three steps forward. Every time I look up during the struggle I see Jesus and I continue to move forward and the net gain is noticeable.

I want to encourage you this morning that no matter how wretched you feel about yourself and your life, that Jesus is with you all the way and He will never forsake you. Stay close, be in His strength and forgive yourself, but never give up. As King David once wrote, and he of all people should know. 

“For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5

Don’t ever give up. Don’t count yourself out. There are plenty out there who will do it. They will try to drive you crazy, but remember as I have everyday that people only drive you crazy if you give them the keys.

How precious are you? Well someone you never met died the worst possible death on a cross so you could have your great second chance; A strong platform on which to stand. Stay strong in Him on the oil well platform and know that He alone is your safety net.

Questions.

1. Do you give up every time you stumble?
2. Are you often critical of others who fall?
3. How would it feel to know that the platform on which you stand will never fail you?

Prayer.

Dear Lord, Papa God.

Joy has come to my morning because you are here and I feel strong in You. Papa your love never fails and your encouragement sustains me on my journey. I am feeling growth and strength and my steps are getting stronger in You. Hold me against the storms as I rebuke sin and those who would have me fall. For this is my prayer in Jesus holy name. Amen.

Have a great day today with Jesus.

Graham Hood.