Tag Archives: sin

Holiness and Grace

Shall we continue in sin? Scriptures that caution against carnality.

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In the old testament, the Israelites often received immediate punishment whenever they transgressed the law.

God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for homosexuality; Achan was stoned to death for stealing, witches were killed, Zechariah was struck with dumbness when he doubted etc.

However, Jesus came to put a stop to this and introduce a new system in which our sins can be forgiven.

He not only became the sacrifice for our past sins, but also our defender for any sin we may commit in the future.

1 John 2:1: “But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” (NIV)

Thus, the believer can be rest assured that sin is no longer a problem. It is no longer a hedge between him and God. God no longer punishes us whenever we sin because of the blood of Jesus.

However, this truth can be taken beyond the divine intention by an immature believer – one who is still carnally minded.

Since the Blood of Jesus cleanses us of all our sins, why can’t we cast off all restrains and live a life of sensuality.

Here are scriptures that admonish us against such;

1. Ecclesiastes 10:8 “… whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.” (KJV)

Even though we have been free from the obligations and demands of the old testament law, we are still subject to the commands of Christ in the New Testament as well as the instructions of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.

There are sins which a believer must never engage in. Engaging in these sins, especially intentionally, will expose such believer to the attack of the enemy.

There is no protection for the rebellious or the disobedient.

Smokers will always have lung problems no matter how much of Christ’s blood was shed for them.

A fornicator will always be prone to STDs and HIV; a liar will definitely have a lot of business losses; a believer who delves into homosexuality and transgenderism will definitely experience a lot of regrets at the end of his life.

When a believer wilfully decides to live in sin, he has rebelled against the commands of God and will be prone to the assault and abuse of Satan.

Thus, we must learn to live in obedience to the Spirit of God and His commands in scriptures. They are not meant to keep us in bondage, but to liberate us.

They are not meant to make our lives boring, but to keep us within the reach of God’s mercy, away from Satan’s territory.

2. Hebrews 12:1: “… let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” (KJV)

The Christian life is like a race run till eternity. However, to prevent us from reaching the finished line, Satan distracts by getting them entangled in their fleshly desires. No believer can make true progress in piety while living in sin.

Living in sin makes one lose focus on God. It brings guilt and shame upon the soul of a believer; making it difficult for such believer to sense the presence of God.

Thus, the Bible admonishes us to mortify our flesh and flee lusts, because these things have very negative consequences on even our faith.

The beginning of apostasy is wilful sinfulness. So we must avoid it at all cost.

3. 1 John 2:5 “But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him.”

The truth is that one cannot claim to love God while living in disobedience to God’s word.

Love and disobedience do not go hand in hand. Instead, true love for God will inspire awe in our hearts and cause us to live holy lives.

A child who claims to love and respect his parents will definitely not do whatever will offend his parents or taint their honour.

The evidence that we really love God and honour the sacrifices He made for us on the cross is that we present our bodies to Him as a living sacrifice and live holy lives.

One who lives in sin willfully has no love for God, and those that do not love God have no place in His kingdom.

Therefore, dear believers, let us abstain from sin and carnality. Though it seems pleasurable, it’s only poison hidden underneath ecstasy. Stay within the boundaries of God’s moral law.

However, God isn’t a wicked God. He isn’t a God without mercy and pity on those who sincerely want to be free from their carnal desires.

And that is why He has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us and help us live holy life.

A true believer desires freedom from sin and not freedom to sin.

Spirituality

NOT UNDER CONDEMNATION

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I laid down in a glommy silence, inside a dark room, that moonless night with tears streaming down my cheeks.

I was speechless and really in a state of melancholy.

My pillow was soaked with tears that dropped from my eyes.

“Am I sure that am really born again? Am I really sure that I was forgiven by God of all my Sins?” These and many other questions flooded my mind that glommy moonless night as I had some flashbacks of my past lifestyle.

I remembered the marriages I destroyed, the numbers of men, married and single that I had slept with, as well as the number of abortions I committed.

An intimidating voice which seemed to be around me said, “Do you think you could eat your cake and have it back? Do you think that after ruining people’s homes; there would be mercy for you? Do you think that after all the abortions you committed; there will be mercy for you? No! Never! For the soul that sinneth shall die!”

I cried bitterly. The tears poured out like a mighty rushing river, unstoppable.

Then, I remembered that on the 18th September, 2018, I laid down everything at the foot of the cross.

I remembered the Joy I felt on the night that I gave my life to Christ, and how transformed my life had been since then.

“Why then am I feeling this way” I  said within myself.

“But, I gave my life to Christ and he forgave me of all my Sins…” I said in a bid to silence the domineering questioning and accusing voice.

But the accuser shot back relentlessly “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard its spots?”

I gasped at the question, as it came with so much audacity and condemning power.

But it only stirred up the faith in my spirit. With boldness, I rebuked the voice, and responded,

‘I know that I can’t change my skin, neither can I change my spot, but I know He who can make everything new. That was why I laid everything down including my past habits, at the cros, for He who brings light out of darkness to do the cleansing,’

‘The Lord didn’t say that he would not receive women [Ladies] who have had abortions and have made terrible mistakes. He  didn’t make a list of the kind of people who and not deserving of his mercy,’

‘I refuse to be intimidated by your accusing and condemning voice, for I know your mission here is to cripple my Faith and trust in the finished works of Christ.

In the name of Jesus, I silence you! Get behind me, Satan!”

Then, there was a surge of divine tranquility into my spirit. There was a reassurance in my spirit, of my righteousness and holiness in Christ

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When the devil confronts you with the memory of your past, confront him with the reality of God’s word,

Romans 8:1: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”

Shall we continue to watch as our flesh shuts the mouths of our spirits, and lead our souls to Hell?

Because we are his son, He sent the Spirit of His Son into our Hearts; the Spirit that cries out “Abba Father”

How long will we allow our ears to be filled with lies; lies clocked with the guise of sensible questions produced by human nature?

Our nature itself has been corrupted. It has been corrupted with the trait of ever trying to analyze divine realities using sense knowledge.

Shut the voice of the accusing spirit, all it is after is to get us confused.

It is a questioning spirit. It is the spirit that stirs up doubts in your heart about the existence of God, a life after death and Heaven and Hell.

That Spirit is from the devil.

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We inherited sin, we inherited death, That should have been our end, but Mercy said ‘No’.

From Adam came death, and through Jesus came life. He died our death to shut condemning voices up! So call on him when weighed down with the burdens of the world.

He wants you to stand still and know just one thing; that He is your God.

“But whoever is united with the Lord is One with him in Spirit” 1 Corinthians 6:17.

This means the Holy Spirit has merged and bonded with your spirit.

Accept this word today,

You are Justified, Sanctified and Born Again!

Amen!