Today we continue our study on Born to Reproduce
Dawson states that there are three hindrances that can
prevent spiritual reproduction that have direct correlations to similar
hindrances to physical reproduction: in
both realms there must be union, there must be a certain level of maturity, and
there must not be a preventative disease or impairment. It is the last of those three which we will
discuss today.
About this, Dawson
says: “Another factor that can hinder reproduction is disease or impairment to
some part of the body that is needed for reproductive purposes. In the
spiritual realm sin is the disease that can keep one from winning the lost.
Sin is the disease.
If we have determined, as asked in our last discussion, that
we want to make disciples, ( in Dawson’s terms – that we want to have spiritual
children), and if we have determined to live in union with Christ, then the
next step in to live healthy lives.
Sin is the disease.
We must address this carefully, but accurately. Do you have to be sin-free in order to begin
to disciple someone else? That is a tall
order. The world is a messy place. God calls us toward holiness and perfection,
and that is the direction to which we must be moving. But we are not to wait until we are perfect
before we reach to disciple, to mentor someone else.
Still, sin is the disease.
We are all prone to error. We all slip up. Let’s just say it – we all sin. But one thing that will constantly keep us
from bringing others into discipleship is ongoing, intentional, unrepentant
sin. That is a disease in our spirits; a
disease that brings death. James wrote
about it this way: but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away
and enticed. Then, after desire has
conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth
to death. (James 1:14-15)
What we are seeking here is spiritual reproduction that
leads to new life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
Can a person be saved and continue in a lifestyle of
sin?
What kind of sins might these
be?
Are there any traces of these in
your own life?
All Scripture is taken from the NIV, 1984 edition, unless
otherwise noted.
Quotes marked with an asterisk (*) are taken from :
Trotman, Dawson. Born to Reproduce. Colorado Springs:
NavPress, 2008. Print.Trotman, Dawson. Born
to Reproduce. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2008. Print.
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