OUTLINE:

Living In Deception
The deeper the hole, the longer it may take to crawl out of it. With God, all things are possible, but there’s no guarantee that deliverance will be instantaneous. In fact, God may WANT the process to take time.

Why the Complexity?
From God’s viewpoint, life is quite simple and straightforward because He is immutable (Mal 3:6; Heb 6:13, 13:8; Jas 1:17). Life is “complex” from man’s viewpoint because he has a flesh that is antagonistic to God and therefore really good at creating chaos (cp Pr 11:14, 25:28; Jn 14:27; 1Co 14:33, 40).

Living In Deception
The deeper the hole, the longer it may take to crawl out of it. With God, all things are possible, but there’s no guarantee that deliverance will be instantaneous. In fact, God may WANT the process to take time.

Gal 6:7
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

Ro 7:19-20
For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

2Co 7:10 [Amplified]
For [godly] sorrow that is in accord with the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but worldly sorrow [the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe] produces death.

“godly sorrow”
This is the grief that enters a person’s life when they sin. It occurs when this person realizes their opposition to God, and so they repent.

“worldly sorrow”
This is remorse that does not lead to true repentance (aka attrition vs. contrition - “[God revives] the heart of the contrite” - Is 57:15). This produces bitterness and despair, elements of the sphere of death (Satan’s world system - 2Co 4:4).

1Th 4:3
For this is the will of God, your sanctification.

Fundamental Truths
- God is immutable
- Man’s flesh is antagonistic to God
- Man’s sin creates chaos in his own life
- God’s desire is sanctification/peace
- Sanctification takes time

Why the Complexity?
God is the source of peace, not confusion. Complexity is the result of man’s sin producing worldly fruit (including “worldly sorrow”). As sin compounds, complexity increases. However, godly sorrow leads to repentance that saves/delivers (towards simplicity - 2Co 11:3).

Sanctification Is God’s Will
Knowing God and having more and more faith in Him is a primary element of our sanctification. Not only does He sanctify us, but our knowledge of said activity adds to sanctification, itself.

Jn 14:6
Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

1Pe 1:7
so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Gen 3:15
And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her seed;
He shall bruise you on the head,
And you shall bruise him on the heel.”

Being Ready
Some people will reject truth the first time they hear it because they aren’t ready for it yet. To be accurate, God isn’t willing to give them understanding yet (ala Lk 9:43-45; 24:44-53). Individual readiness is a function of God’s timing.