Who am I? That is a question people often struggle with. Sometimes young people purchase a VW van and go to California in an attempt to answer that question. But let me save you some time a money. The answer to that question is found in Proverbs 23:7. “For as [a person] thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
As you THINK in your HEART. Thoughts – Feelings. If you peel back the onion layers of your life, job, friends, family, work, hobbies etc., keep peeling them back till you get to the core, the essence of WHO you are, you’ll find that the core is your thoughts and feelings.
Then comes what I consider to be an inspired quote. “You cannot control your thoughts, your impulses, [or] your affections.” Steps to Christ p. 47.1 It is true, and life’s experiences bear it out. We often have thoughts come, unbidden and unwanted. Our impulses cause us to do things we regret. And the things we love often prove destructive.
If we want a different life, a life where we are not a victim or a slave, a pawn in the hands of a destructive enemy, then we need to take God’s gifts of love and repentance and CONSECRATE ourselves to Him and them. Then we can indeed find the experience in Christ we are longing and searching for.
Join us for Consecration & the permanent power of choice. Here also is the sermon handout for this sermon.
The entire Next Step series is available at the Grants Pass Seventh-day Adventist Church Youtube channel.