Monday, April 23, 2012

Living without Sin

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV) 

All things pass away and we become as new as the driven white snow. As our time with the Lord increases we too increase in His likeness. Notice I said time with the Lord. The time I am referring to is our personal private time talking to Him and getting to know His desires and hopes for our lives.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8 NIV) 

I do realize that when people of our past are in our lives they remember the old man and treat me like that old man I used to be. Sometimes just being in their presence brings me to the place where that old man comes back to life. Gee, I thought all things are made new. Yes, they are, in our spirit man. It is up to us and Holy Spirit to make changes in the old man--the carnal, fleshly man.

When that old man surfaces and takes over, we lose control and are therefore in sin. Just when we thought we were without sin. We realize once again that we are merely human walking this path of transformation.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV) 

Sometimes God removes sin from our lives sovereignly. I can only remember when I was first healed from Crohn's disease. At that same instant the Lord took away my filthy language. Wow! Then there are other things like having to get the last word in-you can ask my husband about that one. I really have a difficulty in shutting my trap. Self control. It is so much easier when God moves sovereignly in our lives having Holy Spirit work in us His goodness.

There is to no set rule on how God works in our lives. Yet one thing is for sure, He wants all things to work out for His good. That includes our character development.

To recognize our sin is another means of transformation and an opportunity to grow more like Christ Jesus.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV) 

We should not assume we are good soil. We might have to change our lifestyle, habits, and even friends or relatives who draw us to a place of sin.

Remember, the flesh or sinful nature is always lurking about waiting for an opportunity to rise its ugly head. For a chance to tarnish your witness and destroy our testimony. He wants to bring doubt to those things that we know are true.

Now we are not to walk about as if we are sinners. We are the redeemed and were bought with a price; the blood of the innocent blameless, sinless lamb. Jesus! We have the Spirit of Christ within, Holy Spirit who shall lead and guide and befriend us the rest of our days. To live in victory not defeat is our purpose; to keep our eyes on the prize.

Until we see each other face to face, I pray an extra blessing of mercy and grace upon you and your household.

His beloved, dianne

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