Do not think that because we are saved that sin does not matter. The Bible says we should watch diligently. Sin is still sin. It still bites like a serpent. We still reap what we sow (Gal 6:7). The wages of sin are still death. He who sows to the flesh will still reap from it destruction. Jesus Christ came to bring us out of sin, not to forgive while we continue in it.
Be sober (know what you are doing), be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour (allows him an entrance). (1 Pet 5:8).
Satan goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. We have the victory over him and do not have to fight him, but we must watch diligently. Balaam could not curse Israel, even though he collected the wages of a false prophet, but he did teach Balak how to tempt Israel into sin (Rev 2:14). Israel stumbled and was judged by the law. We are not under the law, but sowing bad seed still reaps a bad harvest.
The Bible says watch diligently, be on our guard, be vigilant, stand as a soldier, be ready, do not allow the enemy an entrance, to come in unawares. The devil has no power over us. He cannot do anything to us. We do not fight him. We do not fear him. We do not give him any attention. We watch ourselves. If not, we are a fool and will be taken by his our own lack of preparedness.
Do not think that grace allows us to play with sin. Sin kills. Sin destroys. Do not be deceived. If we are born again, it will not take us to hell, but it will destroy our reward and those we love. For this reason Paul said he kept his flesh under, lest after preaching to others he himself was disqualified (1 Cor 9:26-27). This is not a struggle, but just something we do in Christ. Paul said in any race there is only one winner and he made sure he ran in such as a way as he won.
Moreover, brethren, I would not that you should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud and all passed through the sea and all were baptized unto Moses…and did all eat of the spiritual food and did all drink of the spiritual drink…but with many of them God was not well pleased, for they fell in the wilderness.
Now these things are written for our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things…neither be idolaters (covetousness)…neither let us commit fornication…neither let us tempt Christ…neither let us murmur…wherefore let him who stands take heed lest he fall. (1 Cor 10:1-12).
Take heed lest we fall! See also Gal 6:1. Do not walk as a fool. Watch. There are covetous practices enticing many. There are false prophets who are given to greed. Covetousness is unfaithfulness to the Lord. It is idolatry and fornication, making gods out of our desires. Do not listen to a prophet who would lead us astray, even if their words are confirmed (1Kings 13:18-22).
Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up defile many; lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. (Heb 12:14-16).
Esau was so negligent concerning the things of God. He was so unaware and so careless that he sold his birthright for a single act of self-gratification. Hebrews tells us to exhort one another daily in these regards (Heb 10:25):
1. Lest any fall of the grace of God, i.e. go back into legalism, works and religious tradition.
2. Lest any root of bitterness spring up and many get caught up in unchristian behaviour that hurts many lives (Gal 5:15).
3. Lest any become so familiar with the things of God that he becomes careless and loses focus of God’s purpose and call. Someone can still be in ministry with signs, but inside his heart he has departed from the Lord.
In Ephesians 6 Paul spoke of the armour of God. Paul was speaking about vigilance. The armour protects us against the truth-twisting wiles (thoughts) of the devil. The purpose of this armour is that it helps us to watch over our heart and mind, with the truth of God’s word in the gospel. It has nothing to do with fighting the devil or curses. It is to do with vigilantly watching over our heart and mind, lest sin gain an entrance and defile many.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereto with all perseverance and supplication for the saints. (Eph 6:17-18).
Watch! Paul told us, “Having done all, to stand in the evil day.” (Eph 6:13). To stand means to watch, so we are not caught unawares. This is not fighting the devil. The same thought was expressed in the Proverbs: “Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Pr 4:23). This is vigilance in the grace of Christ.
Therefore, my son; be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus…endure hardness as a soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Tim 2:1, 3).
Being a soldier does not mean we fight the devil. It means we know how to watch, how to keep ourselves, how to be strong in the Lord, how to endure. The Lord will fight for us and will shortly bruise Satan under our feet. It is patience, till He who is coming, comes! How long do we have to stand? Until we win. The love Jesus has put in us strengthens our heart, with joy.
Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. (1 Pet 1:8).
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (2 Cor 4:16).
Therefore, seeing we have received this ministry (of such wonderful grace), as we have received mercy (it is not of us), we faint not. (2 Cor 4:1).
No comments:
Post a Comment