Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sabbath, January 30, 2016

This Week’s Devotional Focus is, “Freedom From Sin.”

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:14).

Let’s be honest. Without being too philosophical, the reason we most often fail in the battle against temptation is that we don’t accept the covering of Jesus fully and don’t make a clean break from darling sins. Notice I said, “We.”

Question: If someone purchased you the outfit you always wished you could buy, but never afford; would you put it on and then go wallow in a mud pit in it? Even those among us who are not materialistic would banish the thought, because that is not how you treat special clothing, and you definitely don’t disrespect the giver in that way. He/she spent their hard earned money to buy you something of value. What if we actually valued the righteous covering of Jesus, which He died on the cross to purchase for us? Would we deliberately wallow in sin?

Question: When you confess your sins to God, do you mentally, emotionally, and intentionally close the door to committing it again? Notice I did not ask whether you could guarantee in your own strength that you would never do it again. I mean, if your issue is watching things that injure your conscience and relationship with God, do you keep those things in your home or on your devices after you’ve confessed that you have sinned in those areas? I mean, if your issue is having unholy relations with people; after you confess the last time you fell, do you keep having secret rendezvous with them hoping that you will do the right thing? I mean, if your issue is gossip and people want to berate others to you, do you continue listening or do you stop them mid-thought before they entice you to sin? When the Lord has been gracious enough to show us our sin and empower us to confess it, He has also been gracious to empower us to break all connections to the sin. When we confess our sins, we should also cooperate with God to remove provisions to continue in the future. If you smoke, throw away the cigarettes and get help. If you curse, stop listening to things/people who curse. If you are prideful, stop boasting about yourself. If you’re violent, get rid of your weapons, and stop training yourself in fighting. You get the point.

God has made all provisions for those who are covered in His righteousness to also be separated from intentionally enticing ourselves to sin. Accept them.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)