“The light cannot come, except through purity and righteousness; lust and iniquity are surely darkness… Oh, that there could thrill through the being of our young men (and women) some electrical sense that they are God’s sons (and daughters) that they might live the life and attain the nature which are rightly theirs”.~Phillips Brooks
In our day, it is surprising how many and how far the ‘new morality’ (more correctly referred to as the ‘old immorality’) have taken many. That so called ‘freedom’ has led many to a total lack of self control, then bondage, that ruins their self esteem and future. A lack of discipline in virtue logically leads to ‘what else do I have that compares to something so valuable?’… Nothing, from which more is surrendered under the pretense of that ‘new morality’. Darkness and all that comes with it, anxiety, poor interaction and relationships with others and loved ones, depression…, then prevail.
Yet, any future can be changed with a different perspective, to where the light (Jesus Christ’s influence) will return. When we get down on our knees and consistently make Him a proactive part of our lives, we can leave the ‘old man (woman) of sin’ forever behind. Christ will teach through the Spirit and many righteous sources when we follow under His influence. In our newness, the more choices we make for Christ and his teachings, the greater our power over self and thus… our potential for future happiness increases.
Granted, it will be difficult because the dark influence of the adversary will do all he and his minions can to show you how illogical, if not silly, such a new or renewed approach is, coming perhaps from bondage of months or years. It will come at a price, of abandoning old friends, those who will strongly resist ANY change that could ultimately bring you greater personal peace, would also prevent you from a continued ‘wallowing in their mire’; and from influences that were once ‘comfortable’ but now are no longer so.The negative message spoken (if not shouted) to the mind becomes, “you’ve gone too far for too long, you’ll never change!” Not so! Choose friends, acquaintances, in favor of those already living Christ’s teachings. Tell them of your new direction and ask their patience and assistance. Pray often. Become believing… in yourself! Thus a new approach becomes more likely of long term success. It’s a careful and difficult way, but well worth it and Christ will ALWAYS want you on His side, no matter what your history! kdm
