The Way of Life!
Here lately, I have been singing that song, “I’m bound for that city, God’s holy white city, O yes, I am…”
We like to focus on the happy and beautiful things God has done for us, how precious His love, and the beautiful home that awaits us when we go to be with Him. But somewhere along life’s path, some have let their relationship with Jesus slip, and sin, of whatever size, is easier to let slide. I dare say, sin is NOT a common topic of sermons or conversation in churches today, for I believe we wouldn’t be in the shape we were in if it were.
This morning I read in 1 John 5:18, “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and the wicked one toucheth him not.”
What is sin? Unrighteousness… all unrighteousness is sin, (1 John 5:17). To be unrighteous is to be godless, irreligious, unholy, unchristian, wicked, unclean, fleshly, wayward, weak, and backsliding.
Sound harsh! What about that holy white city I sang about? The Bible says in Romans 14:23 ”…whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” “And, when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death,” James 1:15.
In Exodus 20:20 we read, “And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.”
What grace from our loving Savior. Fear is not of God, it is sin. Perfect love casts out all fear, and he who fears has not been make perfect in love.
Beloved, pay attention when you go through a test or trial, so you may learn to trust God and not repeat mistakes. If we have the proper fear of God, and not of man, we will not sin. But notice, God didn’t keep them from sinning, He put the truth before them and they had to make the choice to believe.
What happens when we do not keep ourselves in the will of God? In Genesis 4:7 we read, “If you will do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And it’s desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace,” Romans 6:11-14 (KJV).
God has given you the power over sin through His Spirit inside you… He’s even given you the mind of Christ which is power, love, and a sound mind. You do not need to fall prey to sin if you will keep watch, listen and obey the Holy Spirit.
We are new creations in Christ. Old things have passed away and now all things are new. The devil is a hungry lion waiting to pounce on you and devour you. The wages of sin is death… yes a spiritual death occurs when we sin and we are different as a result, worse off.
However, if we repent He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and restore a right relationship with Him. Does that grace and mercy that has been given to us give us a license to sin? As the apostle Paul said, “Certainly not!”
Thank you Jesus for giving us a CONSCIENCE! My prayer is that as you read this word you would honestly go to God and ask if there is sin in your life that you have not repented of… ask the Lord to do a search of your heart.
When we abide in Him we are under the shadow of His wings of protection, there is direct communication with the Father. We must keep alert and watchful and walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.
“Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God,” John 8:42-47 (KJV).
Beloved, when you sin you are as much as saying you do not love Him. Why do you misconstrue what He says? Surely there is some reason why you are not hearing His truth. Your enemy the devil is lurking about waiting for an opening into your life to make hell a living reality. He is a liar and the father of it.
“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin,” 1 John 1:6-7 (KJV).
What is the remedy, “Come out from sin and walk in the light where He is… Walk circumspectly, carefully, deliberately in him… ”
John 14:21, 24 says, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him… .He that loveth me not keepeth not My sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but My Father’s which sent Me.”
Beloved, keep yourself in the love of God. Set a guard over your very soul that the enemy would not be able to touch you or injure you. Separate yourself from the world, it’s values and ways, for you are not of this world.
Keep your eye upon Him and hold fast to Him and escape from injury caused by Him. You can do it! Choose wisely!
Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world!
God Bless You, you are in my prayers
~ Celeste Dewey
Thank you for the words and for the blessed song!