As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts
which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you,
be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;
because it is written,
"You shall be holy, for I am holy."
I Peter 1:14-16
Sin is the greatest weapon used by the enemy against each and every Christian. We know this because it is what Satan tempts us to do. Sin itself is our enemy as it seeks to master us (Genesis 4:7, Romans 6:14). Sin interferes and interrupts the work of God. Through my sin and your sin we wound other Christians. Sin quenches and grieves the Spirit, it puts us at odds with God and brings His displeasure and discipline. Sin hinders us and makes us less useful and less effective in kingdom work, even to the point of our being put on the shelf (disqualified/I Corinthians 9:27). Sin destroys trust and relationships, and brings about death (James 1:15).
Do we rise up each day prepared to do battle against indwelling sin by putting to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:13), and by putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness (James 1:20)? Have we grown comfortable with or desensitized to our own sins and therefore indulge the desires of the flesh and the mind? Is personal holiness, practical holiness, growth in sanctification important to us, and is our own Christ likeness important to us? Are we presenting a clean vessel to the Lord for Him to work through (II Timothy 2:21)? Are we identifying, acknowledging, confessing to the Lord, and repenting of our sins? Have we determined to do battle with besetting sins, putting them to death, so we may have spiritual victory in our lives? The issue is not the temptations, nor the struggle with sin, but are we having victory over sin. Can we say we are an example to those around us in this area of our Christian life?
Pastors, do you exhort your people to holy living themselves? Do you stress its importance, for now and for eternity? Do you remind them of their calling as a holy people of God, those who bear His name and represent Him before men and angels? Do you lay before them the truth that a little leaven leavens the whole lump, and that their sin affects the body of Christ? Do you explain to them that the consequence of not being conformed to this world, but being transformed by the renewing of their mind is key to growing in holiness, Godliness, Christ likeness? Have you taught them to pray, "Lead me not into temptation (lead me away from temptation), and deliver me from evil (do not let evil have its way with me)," because their spirit is willing, but their flesh is weak? Have you stressed to them that a true Christian cannot have an habitually sinful lifestyle (I John 2:9-10)? Have you told them that the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and prayer to God are their weapons in the battle against sin? Have you reminded them that true Christians have been freed from slavery to sin to be slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:17-18)?
Fellow Christians, let us take holiness seriously. Let us strive together to be found as Christ was found, holy, blameless, and above reproach. Let us attack sin and be ever vigilant against it. Let us be holy as He Himself is holy, and live in the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Father, forgive us our sins, cleanse us from all unrighteousness and defilement, make us conscious and sensitive to the sins we tend to ignore, help us to repent and draw close to you. Thank you that we can come boldly to Your throne, the throne of grace, beside which stands our great High Priest and Advocate, Your Son the Lord Jesus Christ, to receive forgiveness, mercy, grace to help in our times of need, and power for holy living. Thank you for the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit, and keep us filled with Him so that we will not give in to the desires of our flesh and mind. Bless your Holy Name this day and forever more. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment