Recently in discussions, I find that people think it is the norm to plan for spiritual defeat (sin) and then not be surprised or disappointed when failure (sin) takes place in the Christian life. I don't know any other area of life where focused people take this viewpoint concerning failure, as in relationships or business or sports, for instance. Some things are beyond our ability to control; sin is not one of them. He came to save us from our sins and to take away our sin. A savior that does not save from sin, does not save.
We cannot control the constants and the variables of life. We cannot stop Satan from attacking us. We cannot determine another person's response or actions. But we can determine whether we will yield to temptation or not.
Resisting temptation is not an inherent ability available to the natural man, but it is a supernatural ability that comes from God. Obviously men can sin; sinning takes no grace at all. What has become less obvious with the spread of sinning religion in our society is that believers can sin not, which is what saving grace is all about.
It is interesting, God's grace is sufficient to keep some people from continuing in less dramatic infractions of God's law, for a lifetime: such as worrying, gossiping, drug use, lying, profanity. Likewise, God's grace is sufficient to keep some people from continuing in major and abominable sins, for a lifetime; such as polygamy, sodomy, pedophilia, murder, bestiality, idolatry. There is no sin so small or so great that the grace of God cannot deliver a person from committing it, for a lifetime. Still, sinning religion continues to say that God does not enable believers to sin not in this present evil world.
The Scripture contradicts the claim of Satan, the claim of sinning religion, the claim of misinformed but sincere believers that sin is inevitable. Personal experience confirms the fact that God's grace abounds much more than sin, and that God keeps those who keep their faith in Christ.
Sin is not inevitable within the next ten seconds. Sin is not inevitable within the next five minutes. Sin is not inevitable within the next hour. If God cannot, does not keep His people from sinning for one hour, or five minutes, or ten seconds, then God has no saving power and there are no saved people. If He is able and if He actually does keep His people from sinning for any short period of time, He is able, and He will keep His people from sinning for an extended period of time. If a believer lives without sinning for a moment, it is only by the grace of God. The grace of God is not exhausted in a moment, in an hour or in a day. The grace of God does not fail those who trust in the Lord.
Yet, people continue to sing the praises of sin. Why treat the pursuit of holiness of heart and life as though it is a fantasy? Why treat those who yield to God's rule, who live as more than conquerors, live victoriously, live triumphantly by keeping God's commands and doing those things that are pleasing in His sight, as though they are liars? Why honor Satan as though he has greater power than God?
JUST TO MAKE IT EASY: In order to sin not, you don't have to resist temptation for the next twenty five years, or the next ten years or the next year, or the next month, or the next week, or the next day, or the next hour, or the next ten minutes, or the next minute, or even the next moment. All you have to do is resist temptation NOW.
It is interesting, God's grace is sufficient to keep some people from continuing in less dramatic infractions of God's law, for a lifetime: such as worrying, gossiping, drug use, lying, profanity. Likewise, God's grace is sufficient to keep some people from continuing in major and abominable sins, for a lifetime; such as polygamy, sodomy, pedophilia, murder, bestiality, idolatry. There is no sin so small or so great that the grace of God cannot deliver a person from committing it, for a lifetime. Still, sinning religion continues to say that God does not enable believers to sin not in this present evil world.
The Scripture contradicts the claim of Satan, the claim of sinning religion, the claim of misinformed but sincere believers that sin is inevitable. Personal experience confirms the fact that God's grace abounds much more than sin, and that God keeps those who keep their faith in Christ.
Sin is not inevitable within the next ten seconds. Sin is not inevitable within the next five minutes. Sin is not inevitable within the next hour. If God cannot, does not keep His people from sinning for one hour, or five minutes, or ten seconds, then God has no saving power and there are no saved people. If He is able and if He actually does keep His people from sinning for any short period of time, He is able, and He will keep His people from sinning for an extended period of time. If a believer lives without sinning for a moment, it is only by the grace of God. The grace of God is not exhausted in a moment, in an hour or in a day. The grace of God does not fail those who trust in the Lord.
Yet, people continue to sing the praises of sin. Why treat the pursuit of holiness of heart and life as though it is a fantasy? Why treat those who yield to God's rule, who live as more than conquerors, live victoriously, live triumphantly by keeping God's commands and doing those things that are pleasing in His sight, as though they are liars? Why honor Satan as though he has greater power than God?
JUST TO MAKE IT EASY: In order to sin not, you don't have to resist temptation for the next twenty five years, or the next ten years or the next year, or the next month, or the next week, or the next day, or the next hour, or the next ten minutes, or the next minute, or even the next moment. All you have to do is resist temptation NOW.
