Abstain From Sin

 1 Peter 2:11
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.
Unbelievers of this world judge Christians by the fruit they manifest. They do have high expectations that Christians will live a life that mirrors the life of Christ. Our influence for Christ is demonstrated by how we treat others. Our words of testimony have very little impact on others if our lives are not consistent with the teachings of Jesus. Peter admonishes believers not to give in to temptations to fulfill sinful desires that we may face. If we give in to the flesh, we are no different from the world that lives in their sin. Living for Jesus is a transformational life. The old things of the world have passed away, and all things have become new. Being a follower of Jesus is being a light to the world around us. When the world sees the good works that Christians do, they recognize that Christians are not like others, they are selfless, giving, charitable and kind. If they observe Christians giving in to sinful behavior, they lose respect for those who call themselves Christians. The bumper sticker, “I’m just a sinner saved by grace.” can give the impression that Christians are still sinners. Christians have been delivered from sin and are now called to be saints of God.  Christians are not perfect, they are still subject to human shortcomings and mistakes, but the heart can be made perfect before God. This world is not our home, we are only passing through. Like a vapor, we are only here for a short time. What little time we have, may it glorify God in heaven.

Words in Action

  1 John 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Actions do speak louder than words. Words can be very effective when used to lift or encourage someone who is going through difficult times. Words do have meaning and are a very powerful way to communicate God’s love to others. But sometimes words can be hollow or insincere. Jesus tells a story of a person who was robbed and left for dead when certain religious men came by, and seemingly felt sorry for the man, but did nothing to help him. But it was the good Samaritan that didn’t speak words of platitude, he put action to his words and provided help for the injured man. John gives us an example of Jesus who not only spoke words of love and kindness, but was willing to die for us. The God of creation laid down His life that we may have deliverance from sin, so it provided a way to connect us back to our creator. Love is hypocritical when one has the means and ability to help, but is not willing to give when the need arises. Scripture makes it clear that salvation is not possible by doing good deeds. Laying down your life for someone else is admirable, but done in the absence of God’s love in the heart, the sacrifice is earthly and without heavenly reward. Work without love is dead, our deeds must be done in truth. We are not able to help or give our means for every cause that crosses our pathway, but God is faithful to show us His good will and pleasure. Let us not shut up our hearts of compassion, but let us open our hearts by putting words to action, to help our brothers in need.

Work in Progress

 Philippines 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion on the day of Jesus Christ.

We all are a work in progress. Paul writes that some of us are still being fed milk, babies in Christ, and others are eating meat. Everyone starts their Christian walk at different points in their lives. It is easy to judge others based on our personal journey. There are some that develop into mature Christian quickly, and others that struggle with old habits and need more time to be established and grounded in the Word. It is the Lord’s will that we all come to completion, whole in Christ. It is not His will that we remain immature Christian, always fed the milk of the Word. (1 Corinth 3). God desires that we come to live a holy life. (Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God). We struggle with our human frailties, but it is God’s will that we continue to grow. “This is the will of God, even your sanctification” (Heb. 12:14). Even after experiencing the work of sanctification in our lives, we still have a lot to learn. The work that God has started in our lives is done daily as we pick up the cross of Jesus and follow Him in obedience.

Began a Good Work

 Phil. 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

The work began in me on Feb 21st, 1974; a teenage boy raised in a home without a father for most of my life, but with a mother who put her life into providing her children with a place to call home. But, God who knows the story of my life, wrote my name in the book of life on the day I gave my heart to Him. The work of this new life in Christ began. No doubt, His hand was in my life before then, guiding, directing events in my life to bring me to the cross of Jesus. The journey continues, many struggles, battles, and victories along the way. No doubt there is still more to come. I don’t know when God will end this journey and close the book of my life, but I know that each day that I live, my greatest desire is to live closer to Him, and allow the fruit of righteousness to show forth His glory in my life. I’m confident that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him until that day.