Bible League: Living His Word "... he will save his people from their sins."— Matthew 1:21 NIV It's true, there will never be a time this side of heaven when sin will be completely eliminated from the lives of true believers. Indeed, if God were to refuse to accept us into glory because of the sin that still remains in our lives, then not one of us would be allowed to enter. That's why the psalmist says, "If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?" (Psalm 130:3). The question is rhetorical, and the answer is clear. No one could stand. No one walks in sinless perfection this side of glory. Nevertheless, something has happened to us. We're not the same anymore. Sin does not have the same kind of control over us that it once had. Jesus has saved us from our sins. He has not saved us in our sins, but from our sins. He has removed us from the power and dominion that our sins once had over our lives. The Apostle Paul puts it this way, "... because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2). Although we still sin, we're free from the mastery of sin. That's why we hate our sins, that's why we struggle against them, and that's why we confess them and repent of them whenever we do them. Jesus has cast down Satan from the throne of our hearts and has taken his place. We don't want to go back to the way we once were. We don't want sin to regain mastery over our hearts. Although Satan may still try to get back on the throne, although he may still try to regain the upper hand, he will never succeed in his wicked endeavor. Jesus will prevail and Satan will be cast down. The saints of God will persevere. Perseverance includes a desire to overcome sin; therefore, continue to pray prayers that God will root out any sins that remain in your life, and thank Him for sending Christ Jesus to save sinners. Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading2 Kings 1, 2, 3 2 Kings 1 -- Moab Rebels; Ahaziah Judged by Elijah and Succeeded by Jehoram NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Kings 2 -- Elijah Taken to Heaven and Succeeded by Elisha NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Kings 3 -- Jehoram Meets Moab's Rebellion NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading John 3:22-36 John 3 -- Jesus Teaches Nicodemus: You Must be Born Again; John's Testimony about Jesus NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Seek the LORD while you can find him.Call on him now while he is near. Insight Isaiah tells us to call on the Lord while he is near. God is not planning to move away from us, but we often move far from him or erect a barrier between ourselves and him. Challenge Don't wait until you have drifted far away from God to seek him. Later in life turning to him may be far more difficult. Or God may come to judge the earth before you decide to turn to him. Seek God now, while you can, before it is too late. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Joshua 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous.Our God's tender love for his servants makes him concerned for the state of their inward feelings. He desires them to be of good courage. Some esteem it a small thing for a believer to be vexed with doubts and fears, but God thinks not so. From this text it is plain that our Master would not have us entangled with fears. He would have us without carefulness, without doubt, without cowardice. Our Master does not think so lightly of our unbelief as we do. When we are desponding we are subject to a grievous malady, not to be trifled with, but to be carried at once to the beloved Physician. Our Lord loveth not to see our countenance sad. It was a law of Ahasuerus that no one should come into the king's court dressed in mourning: this is not the law of the King of kings, for we may come mourning as we are; but still he would have us put off the spirit of heaviness, and put on the garment of praise, for there is much reason to rejoice. The Christian man ought to be of a courageous spirit, in order that he may glorify the Lord by enduring trials in an heroic manner. If he be fearful and fainthearted, it will dishonor his God. Besides, what a bad example it is. This disease of doubtfulness and discouragement is an epidemic which soon spreads amongst the Lord's flock. One downcast believer makes twenty souls sad. Moreover, unless your courage is kept up, Satan will be too much for you. Let your spirit be joyful in God your Saviour, the joy of the Lord shall be your strength, and no fiend of hell shall make headway against you; but cowardice throws down the banner. Moreover, labor is light to a man of cheerful spirit; and success waits upon cheerfulness. The man who toils, rejoicing in his God, believing with all his heart, has success guaranteed. He who sows in hope shall reap in joy; therefore, dear reader, "be thou strong, and very courageous." Daily Light on the Daily Path John 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;Revelation 3:20 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. 1 Samuel 3:10 Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for Your servant is listening." Luke 19:5,6 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, "Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house." • And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. Psalm 85:8 I will hear what God the LORD will say; For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; But let them not turn back to folly. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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