MONDAY June 24, 2024
Living a Righteous Life in Christ
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints....
Ephesians 5:3
Paul addressed sexual sin, which is a perversion of love. Fornication speaks of illicit sex before marriage. The sins of uncleanness and covetousness also have to do with sexual sin. In society there is so much sexual perversion––uncleanness. The word uncleanness means “in a moral sense, impurity of lustful, luxurious, corrupt living.” Men and women covet someone else’s spouse or girlfriend or boyfriend.
As a child of God, do not have any of these sins active in your life. The Word of God can help you overcome temptations. Being a Christian is not easy; you will not be able to do the things you used to do. It is a life of obedience and consecration. Christianity becomes a way of life. You have to set your life in order according to the Word of God. Are you willing to count the cost? Can you deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus?
As a believer, you will find that your life can be a struggle, as all kinds of temptations will come your way. Sometimes you may want to quit because you find your walk with Christ tough. There will be times of loneliness and even persecution. People will criticize and mock you because you have decided to live your life with the right standards without compromise.
However, when a Christian does fail and sin, they must run to the Cross of Jesus Christ to be reconciled to God. The moment they sin, they need to get back into fellowship with Him through repentance. Believers in Christ have access to the throne of God! When you fail and feel ashamed, do not try to hide from God. Come to His throne and truly repent. It is because of Christ’s blood that you can be forgiven: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 NIV). This is the great hope of believers.
A holy man is an awesome and terrifying thing, for in him God moves among men.
~A.W. Tozer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
