Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Serve Christ, not sin

Henceforth we should not serve sin. Abstain from all appearance of evil. Flee youthful lust. Keep yourselves from idols. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. Henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 

But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Christ Jesus died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Christ Jesus that created him. Henceforth we should not serve sin.

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication. Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Keep thyself pure. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 

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. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Let us watch and be sober. Holding faith and a good conscience. Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Henceforth we should not serve sin.

Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? We being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. I have kept myself from mine iniquity. He that walketh uprightly walketh surely. Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with thy God. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation. Henceforth we should not serve sin.

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Striving against sin. Order my steps in Thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Keep under your body and bring it into subjection. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God. Let us have grace. for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. Henceforth we should not serve sin.

Lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. That we no longer should live the rest of our time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 

For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Pray that ye enter not into temptation. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing his reproachHenceforth we should not serve sin.