Momentum - strength or force gained by motion or through the development of events.

Sir Isaac Newton’s Laws of motion revealed to us the profound effect momentum has in the physical realm. But are you aware that momentum has a profound effect on our spiritual lives as well? This fact is revealed to us in God’s Holy Word.

"Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord," Romans 6:19-23 (NIV).

"Ever-increasing wickedness" is the true nature of all sin. What satisfies us today isn't enough to satisfy us tomorrow. This is the root of every addiction, and it is a danger for both the Christian and non-Christian alike. Dabbling with disobedience can have far-reaching, life-altering consequences.

I learned a very personal lesson about ever-increasing wickedness several years ago when I wandered out to the very fringes of obedience. Partly because I was so captivated by things on the other side of the hedge-of-protection which God had placed around me, and partly because I was sure I was in control (foolish pride, see Proverbs 11:2-3), I drew ever-closer until, eventually, I had crossed over the line. Little-by-little, I left the safety zone that is provided by obedience, and I wandered into Satan's own yard. It was there I learned that he really is like a roaring lion (see 1 Peter 5:8).

The wonderful thing about ever-increasing momentum is that it works just as powerfully for us as it does against us. The Bible tells us that, when we turn to the Lord in obedience, we benefit from the ever-increasing nature of the Spirit!

"But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away. Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. .. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more," 2 Corinthians 3:16-19 (NLT).

These days, I strive to stay away from the fringes and play in my own yard. Here, I have all the freedom I need to enjoy life at it's best - without the roaring lion.

© Tammie 2005

Posted by Tammie at 11:34 AM