5/29/23
“Therefore, do not let SIN reign in your mortal body that you should obey it in its wants.” Romans 6:12, NKJV
Both “saint” and sinner are ruled by lusts today. Of course many believers do not let lusts dominate their lives, but I do say most do in this generation. Just the fact that there are psychologists specifically trained to deal with pastors/priests who are ADDICTED TO PORN, is, in itself, a horrifying shame to the professed Body of Christ today.
There are many, many forms of lusts besides perverse sexual lusts! Lust for fortune and fame have destroyed millions. Lust for power and authority have caused endless death and much destruction upon the earth. Substance lusts (addictions) have sent millions to an early grave, only for these souls to end up ETERNALLY BURNING in HELL!!!
Some people “get off” by causing CHAOS! That’s a passion or lust. Chaos is “their way of doing business.” Wokism and Political Correctness thrive at brainwashing and deceiving – another form of lust: the kind that loves to control others. The whole U.S. government is POWER HUNGRY! Hyper government control!
Power in the Blood
The Blood of Christ has POWER!!! It is able to wash away every sin of the sinner. Titus, a Greek convert to Christianity, received a letter from the Apostle Paul that stated: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men…” (Titus 2:11). You see, God’s grace was now fully open for the gentile world, not just for the Jews. Paul goes on to write: “…teaching us that DENYING ungodliness and worldly LUSTS, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (v. 12).
We have the POWER to live the Crucified Christian Life, and this Life = death to SELF! Having been born again (John 3:3,5) of incorruptible seed, we have the power to refuse/resist sinful lusts – any and all of them.
Two notable things are said in verse 12: 1) deny lusts; 2) live soberly. The Bible tells us to pick up our cross DAILY and follow Christ, and following Christ is a DENIAL of self. Paul makes this point clearly when he wrote, “I DIE DAILY!” (1 Corinthians 15:31). He obviously did not mean physically, but spiritually. Romans said, “reckon (count) yourselves to be DEAD indeed to SIN but alive in God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:11). We are to present ourselves to God as being ALIVE from the dead, and our members as instruments of righteousness to God (v. 13).
Our Precedents
The author of Hebrews points out that “since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us…” (Hebrews 12:1). Can we name that particular “sin?” That “Great Cloud of Witnesses” shows us a precedent – that men/women/children can make it into Heaven, since Jesus was and is the Author and Finisher of their (our) faith.
Saints of old are given honor in chapter 11. Their FAITHFULNESS is a constant reminder that others have faced great temptations, trials, struggles . . . yet have prevailed. We are not alone. We do not struggle alone. Countless believers over the ages have suffered and endured hostilities from satan and sinners, yet prevailed and endured to the END!
Oh, how many have I seen turn back and follow Him no more in my years of service! How many times have men and demons come knocking on my (our) door, hoping we would open it and let them come in to discourage us and destroy our faith! Some were even church folk.
To live effectively, righteously, we must be EMPOWERED with JESUS’ POWER. Suffering IS the training ground for Christian maturity (aka, “perfection”). It develops our character and makes our life in Christ strong. The old saying “no pain, no gain!” is so true.
Days Ahead
In the days ahead I believe we are gonna face real hardships as believers! The “spirit” of Antichrist is upon the land … with fury against any and all who do not go along with it. “Queer Pride” month has replaced June “Bride Month.” The sodomites are always out in full rainbow regalia; their “fag flag” flying over America in open defiance against the Bible: “You shall not lie with man as with a woman, it is an ABOMINATION” (see also 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and Romans 1:24-26).
America has become Amerika, aka “Queer Nation,” “ABOMI-NATION.” “Power to Perverts!” they shout. This ABOMI-NATION will bring the WRATH of God upon this nation.
Romans 1 condemns both male homosexuality and female lesbianism. In fact, it condemns ALL SEXUAL SIN. In Paul’s day, these sins were widespread. That’s why the New Testament writers had to address it so clearly.
Now, though sex sins are condemned by God, He is willing to forgive and receive all who REPENT (TURN AWAY) from their sins, be they homo or heterosexuals. Paul makes this clear in his Epistle to the Ekklesia at Corinth (and these people were known for such sins). After Paul tells the believers that the impure, the immoral, idolaters, adulterers, and homosexuals (including females) will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9), he adds, “And such some of you were (once). But you were WASHED CLEAN … consecrated, justified (by the Blood of Christ)” (v. 11).
In short, repentance brings: 1) cleansing of sins; 2) sanctification; 3) justification. These 3 empower us to live godly lives. Why would we not pursue these?
Paul writes: “flee sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18). Sex is not evil but good, if done in accordance to God’s standards. Immoral sex has destroyed whole nations and peoples. Moral sex has built great nations of peoples.
– Gen. Jim, POW