There are many signs of our growing maturity in Christ, but
freedom from sin is one of the most obvious. We consider our self dead to sin,
because Jesus Christ made us alive in Him. He became sin for us and paid the
penalty we owed. We are not held in bondage to sin and death any longer,
because Christ liberated us on Calvary's cross (Romans 6:1-11; 2
Corinthians 5:21). Sin no longer appeals to us.
Because of Christ, we are already seated in the Heavenly
realm through His Spirit (Ephesians 2:6). By the law of the Spirit of life
in Christ, Jesus set us free from the law of sin and death, which formerly
controlled our thoughts, words and behavior (Romans 8:2). We may
fall into sin now and then, by walking in the flesh instead of in the Spirit;
but sin does not control us any longer (Galatians 5:15-25).
God's Agape love takes our focus off our self-centered
microcosm of the world. It enables us to see a need in others, and to lay our
life down for them as Christ did for us (Galatians 5:14). We can
serve even those whom we feel no natural affection toward, because they are
part of God's Body and He loves them through us.
If sin still controls you, then you do not have the Spirit
of God in you; and if you do not have God's Spirit within you, you are not Born
Again (Romans 8:9; Hebrews 10:26; 1 John 3:6-9). This
means that you can now make a true confession of your sins, place all of your
faith in Christ, and completely surrender to His lordship and His Spirit in
your life (Matthew 25:3).
Prayer:
Father God, my heart is broken and my eyes flood with tears
as I intercede for those who will perish in their unbelief if they do not turn
their heart to You now (John 3:16-18). You never send judgment without
sending a warning first. There have been record weather events, constant wars
and rumors of wars, false messiahs, more famines and earthquakes than ever
before in history, and there is not one Christian nation left due to a falling
away and their love for You growing cold (Matthew 24:5-8). These are
all signs to warn people to turn back to You and Your mercy and grace; yet, the
world revolves without notice that You are calling them to come home to Your
love
Thought for the Day:
The more we serve God and others, the more the desire to
sin diminishes in us. - Romans 12:10; Matthew 23:12; Proverbs 13:10
