Many people use the excuse that we cannot follow Jesus’ example, because He was God, and it was easy for Him not to sin even one time. Yes, Jesus was fully God, but He was also fully human.
Jesus suffered and was tempted in every area of life, just as we are; yet, without sinning (Hebrews 4:15, 5:8). He is the perfect sacrificial Lamb of God who paid our penalty for our sins past, present and future (Galatians 1:4). He also gave us His example to follow.
If we look at the reality of God’s Word, we see that, after salvation, it is no longer you or I that lives in our fleshly body, but Christ who abides within us (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:4). We are partakers of the divine nature of Christ in us (1 Peter 1:3-4).
We put on our new identity in Christ, and we have a human-God ratio in us that empowers us to do God’s will for each moment of our day (Ephesians 2:10, 4:24). However, no one ever taught us this truth, or discipled us in living this deeper and more victorious life.
Once we trust in the Lord with our whole heart, and stop relying on our own human understanding and resources, we learn to consult Him in every activity in which we participate during each moment of our day, He promises to direct our steps according to His will, His timing, and His way (Proverbs 3:5-6).
We stop conforming to the mold of this world. When we offer our self as a temple for God’s Spirit, He transforms us by renewing our thoughts, choices and emotions. This enables us to understand what His good will is, His pleasing will and His perfect will for each moment of our day (Romans 12:1-2).
We walk in the Spirit and no longer pursues the lies of the devil, the deceitfulness of sin, or the desires of our old fleshly nature. We are no longer slaves to depravity and sin (2 Peter 2:19). Immorality no longer appeals to us, because we have the mind of Christ in us.
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for leading us to accept Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, and for giving those who love You the power to become Your adopted children (John 1:12-13). Teach us to sow to the Spirit rather than to the flesh in all of our thoughts, words and deeds, so that we shall reap Your everlasting life (Galatians 6:8, 5:15-25). Help us not to love this world or anything in it more than we love You. We live for Your love in us (1 John 2:15).
We do not want to be foolish and ignorant by following our carnal passions, but we desire to understand what Your will is for us (Ephesians 5:17; 1 Peter 1:14). Fill us with the knowledge of Your perfect will for our life in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 1:9). Help us to put on the new self You have created us to be, which is in the image of Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:10).
Thought for the Day:
At salvation, we die to the dictates of our flesh, and our spirit is quickened in the righteousness and holiness of Jesus Christ; the life that we now live, we live by the faith of the Son of God who loves us and gave Himself for us; we mature from one stage of glory to the next through God’s Spirit, and we grow into the mature standards of Christ who abides within us.
- Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2
