Dodgy Old Man

I hear my Abba’s still, small voice:

“My precious child, do you see that dodgy old man who is stubbornly trying to block your path? I do. I see him often, more often than you might think. He’s quite the obstinate character, that one. I watch as you try time and again to make your way past him on the narrow pathway. I even see you make special allowances for him that get you into quite the predicaments. The hectic times and crowded places in your life seem to be his favourite moments to show up. Even then you continue to try to find yet another way to accommodate him—but there isn’t one. This dodgy old man is well aware of what you’re doing, My child. He presumes to know just where you’re headed and so he deliberately refuses to move out of your way. I see you putting up with his troublesome behaviour even though it causes you distress.  

“My beloved child, the dodgy old man I see isn’t a person. He’s the old man of the sin nature that so stubbornly refuses to move aside and let those who are redeemed and rescued by My Son and directed by My Holy Spirit move in the ways that I am calling them to move.

“When you find yourself frustrated or in situations where you cannot seem to move forward, come to Me in prayer. Ask Me if that stubborn old man on the inside of you might be the problem. You cannot deal with him on your own but I can help you with this. I am calling you to walk as My redeemed child, My overcoming one, in every area of your life. You are precious to Me and I don’t want you to be held back by the stubborn old man who still thinks he has the right to control your life.

“Beloved, choose to be resolute, steadfast, and intentional in surrendering your life to Christ day by day and Old Man Sin will be dealt with. He was defeated on the cross where My Son, Jesus Christ, shed His blood for you. Don’t let a defeated foe who is nothing more than a dodgy old man keep you from your full victory in Jesus Christ.”

Bible Reference
Romans 6:6-11: Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also share his new life. We are sure of this because Christ rose from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. He died once to defeat sin, and now he lives for the glory of God. So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus.

© Carol Schafer 2021