A friend has graciously loaned us a van for several months, but the time has come for us to move forward with purchasing it. Although we’ve raise some funds to buy it, another $4,000 would enable us to complete the purchase. I’m not exactly sure how the Lord is going to supply this. I know He can and will, so I’m not worried about it. Here’s one possibility: I could write a book or a course for you or for someone you know for about $4,000. I can also do straightforward web development – nothing too fancy, but basic web design. When our cooking business gets going, then we could possibly raise the extra money that way. Or, if you have been blessed by these devotionals and want to send a nondeductible gift to us on the second column of our support page, that’s another possibility. http://www.dwightclough.com/donations.html In any case, thank you for your prayers in this regard.
Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. — Ephesians 4:19
Paul here describes the pagan in a morally corrupt society. But what He writes provides some powerful clues as to how Christians can escape sexual impurity.
Why do we lose sensitivity? Why do our hearts become hard? If we are Christians, it is because we have forgotten, or haven’t yet comprehended God’s great love for us.
How will we take in the love of God?
A rebuke probably won’t do it. Someone standing over us saying, "Don’t you realize that Jesus died for you?" probably isn’t going to help. There are times when we need to be rebuked, but this is one time when a rebuke would probably create outward conformity and inward resentment.
A lecture probably won’t do it. We can learn all the theology there is to learn, and still be bankrupt in our hearts when it comes to the love of God.
No. We must allow ourselves to be loved by God. We must open up those hidden places in our hearts and allow the sunshine of God’s love to warm and comfort us. We must throw ourselves with reckless abandon into His arms, knowing that our hands are dirty, but also knowing that He will embrace us and make us clean.
When we have not received the love of God, we go looking for comfort in the wrong places — in places that will never satisfy. But I have discovered in my own life and as I work with others who are struggling to overcome moral temptations, that the longer we bask in the love of God, the less these temptations have any power over us.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.