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 Matthew 28:20 I am with you alway.It is well there is One who is ever the same, and who is ever with us. It is well there is one stable rock amidst the billows of the sea of life. O my soul, set not thine affections upon rusting, moth-eaten, decaying treasures, but set thine heart upon him who abides forever faithful to thee. Build not thine house upon the moving quicksands of a deceitful world, but found thy hopes upon this rock, which, amid descending rain and roaring floods, shall stand immovably secure. My soul, I charge thee, lay up thy treasure in the only secure cabinet; store thy jewels where thou canst never lose them. Put thine all in Christ; set all thine affections on his person, all thy hope in his merit, all thy trust in his efficacious blood, all thy joy in his presence, and so thou mayest laugh at loss, and defy destruction. Remember that all the flowers in the world's garden fade by turns, and the day cometh when nothing will be left but the black, cold earth. Death's black extinguisher must soon put out thy candle. Oh! how sweet to have sunlight when the candle is gone! The dark flood must soon roll between thee and all thou hast; then wed thine heart to him who will never leave thee; trust thyself with him who will go with thee through the black and surging current of death's stream, and who will land thee safely on the celestial shore, and make thee sit with him in heavenly places forever. Go, sorrowing son of affliction, tell thy secrets to the Friend who sticketh closer than a brother. Trust all thy concerns with him who never can be taken from thee, who will never leave thee, and who will never let thee leave him, even "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever." "Lo, I am with you alway," is enough for my soul to live upon, let who will forsake me. Daily Light on the Daily Path 1 Corinthians 15:34 Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.1 Thessalonians 5:5,6 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; • so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. Romans 13:11,12 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. • The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Ezekiel 18:31 "Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? James 1:21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 1 John 2:28,29 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. • If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him. 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. |
    |