Abundant Life in a small house

I was visited by an old friend this past weekend. Actually, he was a friend years ago, a kind of roomate if you will. At one time he took up residence in my innermost being, as the Apostle Paul would say, along with a myriad others. But when Jesus Christ moved in the neighborhood, He evicted all those old boys; envy, greed, lust, anger etc. etc.. They no longer have claim on this territory but so often show up, trying to decieve their way in. Sometimes I throw the door wide open and give them free reign of the place. At other times, God graciously allows me to see the situation for what it is and slam the door shut in their sorry faces. Some would say these visitors are simply the old man (old nature) showing up again. I disagree, and I do so, convicted that the Bible teaches emphatically that the Old man was crucified...dead and gone baby.
Paul says in regard to our struggle with sin (Romans 7:17)that it is "no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells in me". Those of us who are "In Christ Jesus" now have a new nature. We are new creatures in Christ, the old has passed away and all is made new (2 Cor 5:17). When I sin, when you sin, we are not acting according to our true identity and it is not me, nor is it you, doing the deed. It is a foreign entity. SIN. Think of it like this; I have a splinter in my index finger. It's beginning to throb and swell. In fact, the pain can be so intense that it really feels like part of my finger. What is the remedy? Tweezers! Get a set and pull that foul invader out. It wasn't me. It was the splinter (sin) in me.
Now if you're like me (poor soul if you are) you've had a difficult time following all this simply because you are too nosey and couldn't keep your mind from running wild with the question; Who or what was the visitor that started all this? OK you've been patient enough.
I went to a good friend's house and found myself suffering from an acute case of House Envy. The place was amazing. so much room, and in a great neighborhood. Everything was simply perfect. And very spacious. Probably twice the size of my little house. But The Spirit was gracious enough to catch me before it slid into mild depression. Actually, He slapped me upside the head, so to speak, and opened my eyes to see all that God has freely given me. Our house may be smaller than some but it is a place of wonder and of peace, a place of joy and love, a place where God is welcome. I have an amazing wife and two incredible children. And our house is filled with books!!!! And music, oh there is music ringing through this place day and night. It is a place of rest and refreshment. A perfect oasis. We don't have everything the world has to offer, but we have access to all the riches of Heaven. And we have "an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfaiding" 1 Peter 1:4. Jesus promised abundant life to His followers and I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good!