Sometimes taking responsibility for our lives means completing unfinished business. Some of us may have left a trail of broken laws and relationships – things that need addressing before moving on. Others may be burdened by debts that inhibit spiritual pursuits. Part of moving forward spiritually is to take full responsibility for wrongs done in the past.

New life in Christ doesn’t excuse past obligations or erase ongoing consequences of past sins. When the apostle Paul was in prison, he led a runaway slave to Christ. But then Paul sent him back to his master – even though the slave faced a possible death penalty for his offense! Paul sent a letter back with the fugitive saying that if he had caused any harm or stolen anything that Paul would pay for it. Paul recognized that even though the slave was now a Christian and was forgiven of his sins, he needed to address the wrongs he’d committed in the past.

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The more you study God’s Word and engage in conversations with Him, the more you’ll realize how deeply passionate He is about your devotion to Him. He wants (and deserves) every part of you to be in total submission and surrender to Him. He desires this, not only because He is deserving of it, but because He understands the benefits that such devotion will bring to your life and relationships. Having a single-minded focus on God produces the fruit of an abundant life.

A shift in focus must occur if you are going to experience this abundant life Jesus spoke of. This shift must move you from seeing discipline as the end-all of your Christian faith, to embracing discipleship as the process for becoming what God has designed you to be. [Read more…]