Sin is real and always destructive of whoever embraces it. Sin isn’t so much a particular act, as it is a matter of the heart, a sickness of soul.”
–Dan Arnold (Riding for the Brand)
“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”
“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”
–1 John 2:6 (NKJV)
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How To Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” –1 John 5:19 (NASB)
We can shout the victory! I recall the chorus of B. E. Warren’s hymn: “Victory yes, victory; Hallelujah! I am free, Jesus gives me victory….” We can have the victory because of Jesus Christ. Never forget that the Gospel is an event! Do not turn it into a philosophy, though there is philosophy in it. Study, contemplate, and meditate on the following verses from 1 John 3:7-9. We have victory from the devil; we can survive and live in this evil world.
7 — Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous just as He is righteous;
8 — the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.
9 — No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God.” (NASB)
Let me give an illustration before I continue on. When I was in high school I practiced hours on end. I couldn’t tell you the thousands and thousands of ground balls I had hit to be in practice and after practice. I practiced so I could become better and so that I wouldn’t make an error in a game. However, once in a while (and honestly it was rare) I made an error. No matter how hard I practiced, it would on occasion show up. I can relate this to my Christian walk. I practice and practice and practice living a righteous life but on occasion an error is made. I didn’t practice making errors, but it happened. If one does occur I go back to that wonderful verse of 1 John 1:9.
Notice the purpose of Jesus coming to earth–to destroy the works of the devil. Jesus came to wage a great fight. It took place throughout His life and the culmination of the battle took place on Calvary. His resurrection secured the victory. The devil enticed man to sin, so man went against God. The devil lies and has persuaded man to believe his lies. Look at a few of the devil’s lies:
1) When we hate, we often turn our hatred toward God.
2) We cannot live a holy life, it is too narrow, too confining.
3) In response to living a holy life comes the cry of “legalism.
These lies are to keep us in our sin and thus live a sinful life. They are to prevent us from living a godly life and rob us of the benefits God has for us. We become part of the world and under its control and domination. The state of the world apart from Christ is one of deception filled with lies.
Don’t be too surprised at the warfare that goes on. Jesus stated, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword!” (Matthew 10:34). Look at a few battles and lies that took place.
1) The Incarnation goes against the lie of the devil.
2) His sinless life goes against the lie of the devil.
3) His teaching and preaching goes against the lie of the devil.
4) His miracles goes against the lie of the devil.
5) Calvary is undoing the condemnation of sin; wiping away guilty; setting us right with God.
6) Resurrection is the PROOF — now He has conquered death itself; that last enemy.
————————————————
How To Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” –1 John 5:19 (NASB)
We can shout the victory! I recall the chorus of B. E. Warren’s hymn: “Victory yes, victory; Hallelujah! I am free, Jesus gives me victory….” We can have the victory because of Jesus Christ. Never forget that the Gospel is an event! Do not turn it into a philosophy, though there is philosophy in it. Study, contemplate, and meditate on the following verses from 1 John 3:7-9. We have victory from the devil; we can survive and live in this evil world.
7 — Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous just as He is righteous;
8 — the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.
9 — No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God.” (NASB)
Let me give an illustration before I continue on. When I was in high school I practiced hours on end. I couldn’t tell you the thousands and thousands of ground balls I had hit to be in practice and after practice. I practiced so I could become better and so that I wouldn’t make an error in a game. However, once in a while (and honestly it was rare) I made an error. No matter how hard I practiced, it would on occasion show up. I can relate this to my Christian walk. I practice and practice and practice living a righteous life but on occasion an error is made. I didn’t practice making errors, but it happened. If one does occur I go back to that wonderful verse of 1 John 1:9.
Notice the purpose of Jesus coming to earth–to destroy the works of the devil. Jesus came to wage a great fight. It took place throughout His life and the culmination of the battle took place on Calvary. His resurrection secured the victory. The devil enticed man to sin, so man went against God. The devil lies and has persuaded man to believe his lies. Look at a few of the devil’s lies:
1) When we hate, we often turn our hatred toward God.
2) We cannot live a holy life, it is too narrow, too confining.
3) In response to living a holy life comes the cry of “legalism.
These lies are to keep us in our sin and thus live a sinful life. They are to prevent us from living a godly life and rob us of the benefits God has for us. We become part of the world and under its control and domination. The state of the world apart from Christ is one of deception filled with lies.
Don’t be too surprised at the warfare that goes on. Jesus stated, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword!” (Matthew 10:34). Look at a few battles and lies that took place.
1) The Incarnation goes against the lie of the devil.
2) His sinless life goes against the lie of the devil.
3) His teaching and preaching goes against the lie of the devil.
4) His miracles goes against the lie of the devil.
5) Calvary is undoing the condemnation of sin; wiping away guilty; setting us right with God.
6) Resurrection is the PROOF — now He has conquered death itself; that last enemy.