Backing into heaven?

I was in a discussion the other night in which a friend said that sometimes he feels like he's "backing into heaven." He was saying that we often become so concentrated on trying not to do certain things that the entire Christian life becomes an exercise in defense. Don't lust. Don't get angry. Don't lie. Don't be greedy. Don't.... etc.

And of course all of this is true. We are commanded to get rid of sin in our lives, to avoid certain behaviors and mindsets. Yet, very often, these negative commands are closely linked with positive commands. For example, in Ephesians 4:22-24, Paul writes:

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Sometimes we become so focused on putting off the old self that we don't think at all about putting on the new. (By the way, this is a big part of the problem with legalism.) Obviously we have to put off sin, but it is so helpful to think about it in terms of pursuing something greater. Look again at the theme verse for this site, 2 Timothy 2:22: "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of pure heart."

So, for example, instead of being so consumed with not being angry, focus positively on showing kindness to others. Instead of being consumed by not being prideful, cultivate humility in your life. You get the picture. The image in Ephesians 4 is of changing clothes - taking off one coat and replacing it with another. If you just take off the one without putting on the other, you're only halfway there, and you're going to get cold! So, no we don't back our way into heaven - we press forward by the grace of God in Christ, pursuing the abundant life in His presence.

How do you approach sin in your life? How do you respond to sinful patterns and behaviors?
In what specific way do you need to focus on taking off the old self and putting on the new? How will you pursue it?

John Owen on holiness

"Holiness is nothing but the implanting, writing and realizing of the gospel in our souls."

-- John Owen, the great Puritan pastor/theologian

Solitude

"Without solitude it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life... We do not take the spiritual life seriously if we do no set aside some time to be with God and listen to him."

-- Henri Nouwen, quoted by Ruth Barton in Invitation to Solitude and Silence.

We often try to squeeze prayer into our day wherever it will fit - in the car, in the shower, on the go. And there's nothing wrong with praying like that. But that kind of prayer will not take us into the depths of relationship we desire with God. We need time alone with Him. In a famous passage from the Gospel of Mark (1:35), we read of Jesus:

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."

What is your habit of prayer? Do you find it desirable to spend time in solitary prayer? Why or why not?