FRIDAY November 24, 2017
Do Not Be Hypocritical
Your glorying is not good… - 1 Corinthians 5:6
Paul had called for a separation from those in the church who were living in sin. The Corinthian believers should not fellowship with those who were in sin. They needed to cut fellowship with them until they repented.
Think of all the people who manipulate and excuse themselves of their sin while acting spiritual––that is hypocritical. No wonder there is no power in the church today. The Holy Spirit cannot do His effective work, and I am convinced that nothing is going to happen in the lives of people unless the church repents.
True repentance happens when the Holy Spirit convicts you. Then you repent before God (1 John 1:9), and, if need be for accountability, you come forward privately and tell someone you trust, that you have messed up your life (James 5:16). If you sincerely confess your sin and what you have been doing, without hiding your sin, then that is evidence of the Holy Spirit working in your life.
But when somebody is caught in sin they have hidden, and they say they are sorry, often that is not true repentance. How can you trust that person? Especially when you find out they have been doing that particular sin for many years? That is not repentance––my friend. If that person had not been caught in sin and held accountable, would they have continued doing the same sinful behavior?
Prayerfully, may today be a day of true change and true repentance where God’s people heed the warnings in the Word of God. Understand, the Holy Spirit can help each of us to live godly and holy lives.
Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
~Galatians 5:16~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!
