We are all tempted but this does not give us the excuse to sin. 2“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid” If our faith is pure before the Lord than our desire is not to sin but to live in the light of Christ. It is our heart’s desire to not disturb the Spirit of God through our own lusts but to live for Him. We know where our lustful thoughts have taken us in the past and it would be heart breaking to go down that road again. James teaches, 4“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” It is God’s will that we obey His commandments and to be blameless before Him. He knows that we are only human and therefore He has made a way for us to resist evil. If our faith is true than we will seek the Lord for help. 3In prayer we will find peace. In the Word of God we will find counsel. These things will build up our belief system in Jesus Christ, our Lord. He will be the answer in times of trial and despair. Even when things are uncertain, He will give us clarity on what direction to take. There is a promise to all the followers of Jesus that resist temptation. Their choice to follow after God’s heart instead of their own is pure in His sight. 4“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life.” What a blessing it is to follow Jesus. If you aren’t following Him now, then repent. Your will life will continue to be uncertain if you don’t seek the Lord. Your eternal outcome doesn’t have to be destructive if you take the first steps, now, in following God.
God is calling out everyone that is living in sin to repent. This prideful lifestyle has no part in the kingdom of God. It is when we think to ourselves to be content with living contrary to God is when His wrath is upon us. He doesn’t desire anyone to go to hell but it is their own lives that are leading them there. If any of you have an alcohol, drug or sexual addiction, are you willing to give it all up for Jesus? Everyone that is living this way understands that the good feels they get is only temporary. People continue to live this way because it gives them a sort of gratification. This is what Satan wants all people to feel. He says, you’ve done that before and do you remember how good it felt. However, what He doesn’t remind you of is how painful it made you feel inside. The feelings of regret and sadness. It isn’t worth the guilt. To be racked by these pains each time we sin will only lead us farther away from God. So listen to what God is telling you. He says, 1“follow me” and don’t look back. Give it all to me and I will replace your sins with love. Instead of lusting for things that are temporary our hearts will be filled with eternal joy. Again, He is asking for you to change, today. Are you listening? Don’t fight Him any longer. Give Him rest in your heart. Tell God, you are more important than all these drugs. You are more important than drinking alcohol. You are more important than living in sexual sin and watching pornography. If your heart is sincere than He will do a mighty work inside of you. You will finally be born again. All your sins will washed away through blood of the Lamb.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I honor You. I no longer wish to live apart from Your love. Help me resist temptation. Remove the sins in my life. Help me to be undefiled from this world. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Matthew 16:24,25 (KJV)
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
2Romans 6:1-2 (KJV)
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3Ephesians 6:10-18 (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
4James 1:2-5,12-15,27 (KJV)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
