Deep Dive into Cornerstone by Jeremy Prayer - Overcoming Lust
People pursue Jesus for diverse reasons, which can be broadly categorized into incomplete or self-interested motivations and a true, desired pursuit of Jesus Himself.
Often, individuals initially seek Jesus for what He can do for them, rather than for who He is. This is likened to the crowd in John 6 who followed Jesus because He had filled their stomachs, focusing on "temporal stuff" and immediate physical provision. Common self-interested reasons include desiring freedom from guilt and shame, saving one's reputation, or preventing negative consequences like ruining a family or marriage. Many view Jesus as a "limo driver" or "Mr. Fix It," wanting Him to "remove something from their life that they don't like" for a happy, guilt-free existence where they can still live for themselves. They may seek immediate help with a specific sin, but this often represents the extent of their desire from Him.
In contrast, a true and desired pursuit of Jesus involves a "relentless pursuit of a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ," recognizing that Jesus Himself is the ultimate destination. This begins with a "full heart turn" towards God, acknowledging that the struggle with sin, like lust, is fundamentally a "worship problem" where devotion has been misdirected from God. People pursue Jesus to glorify Him, to be wholly dependent on Him, and to cultivate a dynamic relationship with Him as the "Sovereign King" and "true bread" who fully satisfies. This involves "looking on Jesus," "believing in Jesus," "abiding in Jesus," and "feeding on Jesus." This growing affection for the Lord, cultivated through prayer, time in the Word, praise, and fellowship, unleashes "the expulsive power of a new affection," which naturally displaces sinful desires, allowing individuals to "mature their way out" of sin. Ultimately, it’s about actively loving, worshipping, and serving the Lord, becoming fully dependent on Him.
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