Sin vs. Sin Nature- DAY FIVE
Sin vs. Sin Nature
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Day Five
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Scripture: "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:9-10 NIV
Thought: OUCH! These are very strong words that John writes here. If I belong to God, born of God, which means a spiritual transaction took place whereby I was "born again" (John 3:7) by the Spirit, I should not be willfully sinning. He says the Spirit of God, which he is calling "God's seed" is in me, convicting me and guiding me in how I live each day.
If I am living in sin, he says I belong to the devil and not God. It reminds me of the verse, "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 NIV
We have a choice. We can give our lives to God, be reborn by His Spirit and serve Him, which means we won't be sinning. Or we can serve the false gods of this world or the devil and keep on sinning.
Application: Where are you in this spectrum of belief and practice? Has The Spirit used this Word to convict you about to whom you belong? Do you reject this Word as being out of context or untrue?
Spend some time wrestling with your thoughts and heart in your journal, as you bring yourself before the Lord. Ask Him to show you where you are.
Ask Him to give you His Spirit..."If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" Luke 11:13 NIV
Response: Today can be your Spiritual birthday if you are reborn today! If so, rejoice and celebrate and share this with your family and friends. Don't doubt and don't fear. Trust His Spirit to guide you. Write a prayer of dedication and thanksgiving in your journal.
Perhaps you know you have been born again, yet you have not let the Holy Spirit rule over your sinful nature. Let today be a day that you draw a line in the sand, a spiritual marker. Commit to walking daily with His Spirit, through His Word, through Prayer, through Obedience and Submission. Write your commitment down in your journal and make it clear so, one day, your children will read about your faithfulness.