Today's scripture: 1 John 3:9
Sometimes, old adages really illustrate a point well. Albeit very dark, "beating
a dead horse" is one of them. Sometimes, it seems like overkill when John
or Peter or Paul continues to reiterate a theme or a topic over and over.
However, it's just as if they knew human nature. Hmmmm. And I believe they did.
It's true: We can be very dense or resistant or downright hostile to truth.
And sometimes, the writers of the Bible knew they'd have to make their argument
over and over in order for their readers to really "get it."
We've already read several times how we cannot serve God and still habitually
sin. We cannot be Christ-followers and practice sin. One or the
other will have dominance in our lives.
If we choose to truly follow Christ and seek the Father's will, then the Holy
Spirit will convict us when we sin. If, however, we choose to practice sin,
then our focus will be taken off of God and onto our sin. It might be gradual
neglect or outright defiance.
You're either "born of God," with the Holy Spirit's indwelling
presence, or you're a slave to sin.
So as I've written before, you must choose. Please choose wisely. Please allow
God complete control of your life. It'll be the best decision you ever made.
Showing posts with label slaves to sin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label slaves to sin. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
True Freedom (1 Cor. 9:1-2)
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
(1 Corinthians 9:1-2, NASB)
Freedom. It’s a fundamental desire of all humanity. We weren’t created for slavery of any kind. When we feel confined, we strive to shake off whatever binds us.
Yet even if we’re free of any earthly constraints, so many are bound by sin. We are, in fact, slaves of sin. Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34, NKJV).
Addictions. Sexual sin. Greed. Anger.
Freedom, true freedom, comes from faith in Christ. Paul wrote to the Roman Christians: “… thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (6:17-18).
When we’re in Christ, we are free from the repercussions of sin. We’re free to live according to God’s will. We’re free to serve our God who loves more than we can truly comprehend.
And we who are in Christ must not continue to live in habitual sin because He saved us from that sin: “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).
Indeed, our being freed from sin should cause us to joyfully and gratefully serve God and others. “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).
(1 Corinthians 9:1-2, NASB)
Freedom. It’s a fundamental desire of all humanity. We weren’t created for slavery of any kind. When we feel confined, we strive to shake off whatever binds us.
Yet even if we’re free of any earthly constraints, so many are bound by sin. We are, in fact, slaves of sin. Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34, NKJV).
Addictions. Sexual sin. Greed. Anger.
Freedom, true freedom, comes from faith in Christ. Paul wrote to the Roman Christians: “… thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (6:17-18).
When we’re in Christ, we are free from the repercussions of sin. We’re free to live according to God’s will. We’re free to serve our God who loves more than we can truly comprehend.
And we who are in Christ must not continue to live in habitual sin because He saved us from that sin: “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).
Indeed, our being freed from sin should cause us to joyfully and gratefully serve God and others. “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).
Friday, March 09, 2012
Inheriting the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-11)
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
(1 Corinthians 6:9-11, NASB)
We are all sinners, each and every one of us. No one is without sin. And even when we come to faith through the acceptance of and belief in Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection, we still sin.
However, as we become more and more like Christ, as we mature in faith, we learn to avoid sin more and more.
And when we do sin, we need to go to Jesus and confess our sin.
These verses deal with those who haven’t committed their lives to Christ. Those people who practice sin unrepentantly will not “inherit the kingdom of God.” And I could add to this list: those who are habitually angry or prideful or those who gossip or slander.
Yes, we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and yes, the penalty for that sin is death—eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). And when a person knowingly and willfully chooses to live in sin, when he chooses not to follow Christ, then he chooses death.
This world is winding down. I believe this with all my heart. And one day—be it days, weeks, or years—Christ will return. Everything on this earth will be no more. So ask yourself this one question: Is the sin I choose to live in worth eternal separation from my Creator?
Temporary sin verses not inheriting God’s kingdom? I don’t think so.
(1 Corinthians 6:9-11, NASB)
We are all sinners, each and every one of us. No one is without sin. And even when we come to faith through the acceptance of and belief in Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection, we still sin.
However, as we become more and more like Christ, as we mature in faith, we learn to avoid sin more and more.
And when we do sin, we need to go to Jesus and confess our sin.
These verses deal with those who haven’t committed their lives to Christ. Those people who practice sin unrepentantly will not “inherit the kingdom of God.” And I could add to this list: those who are habitually angry or prideful or those who gossip or slander.
Yes, we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and yes, the penalty for that sin is death—eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). And when a person knowingly and willfully chooses to live in sin, when he chooses not to follow Christ, then he chooses death.
This world is winding down. I believe this with all my heart. And one day—be it days, weeks, or years—Christ will return. Everything on this earth will be no more. So ask yourself this one question: Is the sin I choose to live in worth eternal separation from my Creator?
Temporary sin verses not inheriting God’s kingdom? I don’t think so.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Springs Without Water (2 Peter 2:17-19)
These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.
(2 Peter 2:17-19 NASB)
Peter used such descriptive language to describe those who choose not to follow God’s truth.
They are “springs without water …” They’re dry, useless, even harmful as others are drawn to their shores with the hope of quenching thirst—and there’s no water to be found.
They are “mists drive by a storm …” They themselves have no real influence, but the storm that drives them—sin—is powerful and enticing. They are shrouded in “black darkness.”
In their arrogance and vanity, they entice others, who are drawn in to the lure of flesh and sensuality. And this doesn’t just mean sexual sin. It means addictions to food or drugs or alcohol. It means being totally absorbed by media or television or the internet. Anything that pulls a person away from truth.
And then the sad part: Those who choose the attraction of sin think they’re free. They can do whatever they want whenever they want with whomever they want. But they’re really slaves. They’re tied and bound by whatever has entrapped them.
Because it’s very true: “… for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.”
What “enslaves” you? Your flesh? Or the truth of God’s grace, mercy, and love. In history, slaves didn’t have a choice of who or what enslaved them. You do.
Choose wisely.
(2 Peter 2:17-19 NASB)
Peter used such descriptive language to describe those who choose not to follow God’s truth.
They are “springs without water …” They’re dry, useless, even harmful as others are drawn to their shores with the hope of quenching thirst—and there’s no water to be found.
They are “mists drive by a storm …” They themselves have no real influence, but the storm that drives them—sin—is powerful and enticing. They are shrouded in “black darkness.”
In their arrogance and vanity, they entice others, who are drawn in to the lure of flesh and sensuality. And this doesn’t just mean sexual sin. It means addictions to food or drugs or alcohol. It means being totally absorbed by media or television or the internet. Anything that pulls a person away from truth.
And then the sad part: Those who choose the attraction of sin think they’re free. They can do whatever they want whenever they want with whomever they want. But they’re really slaves. They’re tied and bound by whatever has entrapped them.
Because it’s very true: “… for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.”
What “enslaves” you? Your flesh? Or the truth of God’s grace, mercy, and love. In history, slaves didn’t have a choice of who or what enslaved them. You do.
Choose wisely.
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