Dealing with idols

Shouldn't I seek by faith the realization that I am dead to the world so I can mingle in it w/o constant awareness of the idolatry, seeing people as objects of God's love rather than spiritual threats? So, why then, does His Spirit seem to constantly say otherwise? Why won't He throw me a bone of this realization - that I am free from my flesh in Christ? Why does He seem bent on one thing - pushing, even blasting these connection to my flesh out of my life? The idolatry is sin between God and myself, so why does He seemed focused not on my heart-attitude, but the objects of idolatry themselves. Will

But if while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found to be sinners, is Christ then one who encourages sin? Absolutely not! For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. Galatians 2:17-18 NET

You only think God is the one who is focusing your eyes upon your former corruption.

Jim

I don't downplay the fact that Satan, my flesh, the law - they all have a hey-day with the tools provided them, but the reality is still there - these idols - these competitors for the life of Christ in me. So I feel am overwhelmed with the sense that he would have me remove these idols from my life, these entanglements to my walk, no matter the cost, and that scares me. Will

My friend Will,

These idols have already been removed from you ... and you from them. The truth of the matter is that you are still seeing them as alive to you and you to them. Believe me when I tell you I truly understand the feeling of being overwhelmed in making the attempts to rid myself of that to which I have already been separated. When Paul spoke of putting these things to death - "mortification" - it should be obviously clear that he was not suggesting you redo what Christ had already done but was demanding you to hold them as they truly were: dead.

Jim