SHALL WE CONTINUE IN SIN?
Little Johnny had been misbehaving all afternoon, so his mother finally sent to his room. “For how long?”, he dejectedly asked. “Until you settle down, think about your behavior and pray for God’s help,” his mother replied.
20 minutes later Johnny emerged and informed his mother that he had done what she’d asked. "Really?" replied his wary mother. "Did you remember to ask God to help you to stop misbehaving?”
"Not exactly”, said Johnny. "But I did ask Him to help you put up with it!"
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At times, Christians will be tempted to act like Johnny. Although we know the difference between right and wrong, we may occasionally hope (even pray) that God will put up with our sin. Have any of the following thoughts concerning sin ever come to mind? “It’s not that bad.” “Many people are doing worse.” “I only do it occasionally.” “No one is perfect!”
Some Christians in Rome apparently asked, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” (Rom. 6:1) In other words, “Since we are covered by God’s grace, WHY NOT SIN now and then?” Note Paul’s inspired reply, “CERTAINLY NOT! How shall we who DIED TO SIN live any longer in it?” (Rom 6:2)
When we became Christians, we REPENTED of our sins and turned away from them. From that point, the act of committing sin should be repugnant to us. “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints…” (Eph 5:3) And the temptation to ask God to allow us to “get away” with sin comes straight from hell. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Gal 6:7)
Don’t misunderstand - even the most devoted Christians will periodically give in to temptation. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 Jn 1:8) Yet we should never suppose (or hope) that God will “look the other way”. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Eph 5:11)
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
Little Johnny had been misbehaving all afternoon, so his mother finally sent to his room. “For how long?”, he dejectedly asked. “Until you settle down, think about your behavior and pray for God’s help,” his mother replied.
20 minutes later Johnny emerged and informed his mother that he had done what she’d asked. "Really?" replied his wary mother. "Did you remember to ask God to help you to stop misbehaving?”
"Not exactly”, said Johnny. "But I did ask Him to help you put up with it!"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At times, Christians will be tempted to act like Johnny. Although we know the difference between right and wrong, we may occasionally hope (even pray) that God will put up with our sin. Have any of the following thoughts concerning sin ever come to mind? “It’s not that bad.” “Many people are doing worse.” “I only do it occasionally.” “No one is perfect!”
Some Christians in Rome apparently asked, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” (Rom. 6:1) In other words, “Since we are covered by God’s grace, WHY NOT SIN now and then?” Note Paul’s inspired reply, “CERTAINLY NOT! How shall we who DIED TO SIN live any longer in it?” (Rom 6:2)
When we became Christians, we REPENTED of our sins and turned away from them. From that point, the act of committing sin should be repugnant to us. “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints…” (Eph 5:3) And the temptation to ask God to allow us to “get away” with sin comes straight from hell. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Gal 6:7)
Don’t misunderstand - even the most devoted Christians will periodically give in to temptation. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 Jn 1:8) Yet we should never suppose (or hope) that God will “look the other way”. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Eph 5:11)
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
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