THE EXPULSIVE POWER OF A NEW AFFECTION ====================================== Course: The Sight of the Throne (Sight) Lesson: 9 Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2; Galatians 5:16; Psalm 37:4 Language: English URL: https://kgm-school-preview.netlify.app/lessons/en/sight/09-the-expulsive-power-of-a-new-affection/ WhatsApp: SIGHT EN 09 LESSON 9 — THE EXPULSIVE POWER OF A NEW AFFECTION ================================================= "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." — Hebrews 12:2 THE CORE IDEA Lasting victory over sin comes not by focusing on the sin itself but by cultivating a love for God so captivating that it displaces lesser affections. FREEDOM THROUGH AFFECTION Many struggle with sin, trying to fight it through self-effort, willpower, or adherence to rules. But true victory comes not by focusing on what to avoid but by fixing our eyes on Christ and cultivating a deep love for God. "Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 12:1–2). Sin loses its grip when our hearts are captivated by a greater love. Thomas Chalmers called this "the expulsive power of a new affection." A life consumed with knowing and loving God will naturally lose interest in lesser, sinful things. THE OLD TOY AND THE NEW Imagine a child who dearly loves playing with a simple, worn-out toy car. It's his favorite possession. Then, for his birthday, he receives a spectacular remote-controlled, all-terrain vehicle — fast, powerful, able to go anywhere. Suddenly the old toy car is forgotten. Not because he was forced to give it up, or because he made a stern resolution to stop playing with it — but because a new, far more captivating affection has pushed out the old one. In the same way, when our hearts are truly captured by the beauty, glory, and love of God, the "toys" of sin begin to lose their appeal. The new affection for Christ becomes so compelling that it naturally displaces the old desires that once held us captive. "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). LOVE GOD, AND DO WHAT YOU WILL St. Augustine famously said, "Love God, and do what you will." This is not a license for lawlessness. It operates on the principle that if you truly love God with your whole heart, your will naturally aligns with His will. Your desires are transformed so that what you "will" to do is pleasing to Him. And the challenge: if your will still leads you to choices contrary to God's known will, what might this indicate about the depth or focus of your love for Him? TALK IT THROUGH TOGETHER 1. Why is loving God more effective against sin than relying on willpower alone? 2. How does a greater affection for God expel sinful desires? 3. What practices help cultivate a stronger love for God? THIS WEEK Reading: Chapter 9 of The Sight of the Throne. Memory verse: Hebrews 12:2a. ---------- KGM School of Service — Knowing God Missions · Tumenyimana https://kgm-school-preview.netlify.app