Catch, Be careful about falling into the same trap that many addicts in recovery fall into when they at first find a little recovery (or Christianity). These scriptures speak volumes to how your wife experiences your change so far:
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Matthew 7: 16-23
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">It's easy to say the words, but you have not given your tree the time to grow good fruit after a life-time in your marriage of growing evil fruit. You want your wife to understand that the tree has changed. But there is no harvest yet. She has heard "words" before, only to have her heart broken again and again. So if you truly have the love of God in your heart, you will have compassion upon her and not expect her to go anywhere near the tree to even find out if the fruit has changed.
So you must resign yourself to the possibility of losing everything that you love - it's beyond your control and into God's hands now; so let your Christianity be a work of faith, not of words. Remember this scripture as you do:
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Romans 8: 28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">The words of James are quite telling, to those who like to talk the talk, but not walk the walk.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">James 2: 17-20
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">You see, talk's cheap. And God Himself is offended by those who speak His words, but do not His works.
I knew my husband had finally reached a point of recovery when he no longer asked me to "cut him some slack" or notice how changed he was. Instead, he let his works speak to me. In my mind, his heart was a reflection of his actions, NOT his words.
<small>[ January 13, 2003, 06:50 AM: Message edited by: KaylaAndy ]</small>
