Since Paul’s time, there is a rash of Believers that think
that grace gives us a license to sin. The question in most hearts is, “How much
sin can I get away with and still be a Christian?” Actually, Paul pointed out
that no Christian can live in habitual sin (Romans 6:2). It is
impossible, because the Holy Spirit convicts us of our need for holiness. We
died to sin through Christ; therefore, sin no longer makes us happy or
fulfilled (Romans 6:2).
There is no sin in Christ, and we are in Him; therefore,
there is no desire to sin left in true Born Again Believers (1 John
3:5). If we live in sin, it is because we do not know the true Lord Jesus
Christ. We may have repented because of conviction, but we are not truly
converted (1 John 3:6). There is no real change in us.
Our spirit is still dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1). Those who are born of God
cannot willfully live in the practice of sin, because our spirit is Born Again (1 John
3:9).
There is a spiritual realm, which most people never see. We
are like Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, who focused on the natural armies about to
annihilate them. He was a nervous wreck and could not understand why Elisha was
so cool, calm and collected. Then, Elisha prayed that Gehazi’s eyes would be
open to the spiritual world around then. Gehazi’s fear of the armies
surrounding them melted at the sight of the entire host of heavenly horses and
chariots of fire that surrounded the enemy army (2 Kings 5:14-17).
God desires people who will fix our focus and passion on
Him (Psalm 57:7, 108:1, 112:7), those who will worship Him in
Spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). We can have the faith and
courage to believe that the impossible is possible, once we look at life from
the eternal perspective rather than the earthly, carnal one (Matthew
19:26; Colossians 3:2). However, this is only achievable when we are
branches connected to the Vine of Christ (John 15:5).
Then, the life of God’s Spirit flows through us. We are slaves of
righteousness now, instead of slaves to sin (Romans 8:2, 6:18). We
please God by walking in faith in His faithfulness (Hebrews
11:6). We do not strive to keep the law, because we are set free from the
law of sin and death by the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Hebrews
8:2). We abide in Christ as a way of life and we have no other desire, goal
or focus (1 John 2:28). We enter into God’s rest now
and throughout eternity (Hebrews 4:1, 10-11).
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we are already dead to sin and the flesh, and
our life is now hidden with You in God (Colossians 3:3). You are
our whole life (Colossians 3:4). We desire nothing more in this
life than to live it in You. We want to serve You as a vessel for Your honor.
Thank You for setting us free from sin and death (Romans 6:23). Now,
raise us up to walk in the regenerated life, which comes only from You (Romans
6:4).
Thought for the Day:
Walk in the Light, even as Jesus is in the Light. – 1 John
1:7