Innocence...

I watched a movie the other night called ''the end of innocence" with Michelle Pfeiffer & Daniel Day Lewis (I think he is a great actor by the way and yes, I do enjoy a good chick flick now and then). The movie was a PG romance genre, and to my delight had no sex in it whatsoever. No sexual jokes, and nothing that would prevent me from watching it w/ my parents. The movie itself did not threaten one?s innocence. On a side note, I recognize that the previous statement is a minimalist question. A better question to ask would be does this help me glorify or better my Walk with Christ. So many times I catch my self asking minimalist questions like I am trying to walk the fence or something. One?s faith is a lot stronger when they ask maximalist questions. Anyway, back to innocence. The word seems almost obsolete in Americans vocabulary today. I feel that I am so far from innocence. Is innocence important? In Matthew 10:16 Christ says to His Disciples, "I'm sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as cunning as snakes but as innocent as doves.? Can innocence be regained? Philippians 2:13-15 " It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please him. Do everything without complaining or arguing. Then you will be blameless and innocent. You will be God's children without any faults among people who are crooked and corrupt. You will shine like stars among them in the world " Isn't that Interesting? Not through our trying do we please Him, do we be innocent, do we obey him. It is God at work in us that enables such innocence, He has the power to give innocence back to us. It makes sense, for how can dead flesh (our old self) produce anything living or qualities that living beings share.? It cannot, and that is why we need the life of Christ within us to produce life. It is so simple yet I still keep trying to pray more and read more. Without his strength it just doesn?t happen. Allow me to encourage you today to ask God for Innocence. Such a quality will enable Christians to stand out amongst a world where innocence is considered a negative connotation, and then you may get more opportunities to ?give a reason for this hope that you have (in Christ)?.