Have We Ceased From Sin & Sinning? - Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Saints,

A brother, Shaun, called in from London, England, asking for prayers that God would deliver him from drunkenness and illegal drugs. He called to a worldwide Bible reading/prayer forum called Daily Audio Bible (DAB check it out). Shaun confessed his sin and narrated how he has been back and forth in this lifestyle and hates his condition.

 

Now, this is an honest brother, and his vulnerability humbled me. I joined many crying out to the Lord to set Shaun free from this bondage of sin. Please pray for Shaun; thank you.

 

As we continue our study of 1 Peter, the apostle through the Holy Spirit confronts the pilgrims and us with the sins of our old lives before we believed and trusted in Christ. Let’s hear Peter:

 

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.

 

4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” 1 Peter 4:1-6

 

What does it mean “has ceased from sin”? Does it mean we longer sin? I like Hiebert’s explanation, “It need not mean that he no longer commits any act of sin, but that his old life, dominated by the power of sin, has been terminated” by Christ’s death and resurrection.

 

Keep in mind Peter already told us that we are “born again” by the Spirit into our new nature:

 

“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” 1 Peter 1:22-23

 

The life of the “flesh” versus the “Spirit” is at stake here. If you are reading this, it means you are still alive; and in this flesh and body. How can we then live in the Spirit while still in the body of flesh?

 

Do we get a pass since we are still in this body of flesh? Peter says we should now “live for the will of God.” In other words, we live according to the will and pleasure of God.

 

Apostle Paul helps here. “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5

 

“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Romans 8:9-10.

 

 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 7:24.

 

Friends, we don’t have a chance if we do not live in and by the Spirit. But how? By meditating, abiding in the Word of God, and listening and obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit in us. Oh yes, the Holy Spirit speaks to us. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 9:27.

 

As we follow Christ, there must be the fruit of the Spirit flowing through our lives - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, Galatians 5:22.

 

The Holy Spirit will supply us grace where we are and surely bring us home face to face with God Himself. We owe each other that same grace, which is why I will continue praying for Shaun as often as I remember.

 

Of course, there must be evidence of a Christ-transformed life in us. That is why Peter is calling us out. Hear Peter again:

“For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.”

 

Don’t you agree with Peter? We have spent enough time in the past at those wild parties. being out of control and serving idolatries - other gods. It gets old. Can you and I say old things have passed away and all things have become new in our lives? Yes indeed.

 

Do your friends wonder why you no longer join in those crude jokes and drinking orgies?

We are perfect in Christ positionally, but we are being perfected in this flesh. Perfection is the continual work of the Holy Spirit in our lives called sanctification. The Spirit convicts us and always brings us to repentance and fellowship with Christ and our Heavenly Father.

 

Everyone must answer for their sin. Start seeing people with a banner on their forehead, “bound for hell.” It will give you love and compassion for the unbelieving in Christ. Oh yes, all that do not trust in Christ are heading to hell. Do you believe that? Then, tell them about Jesus, the Lord and Savior. This thanksgiving, pray and tell that family member. You may not see them again. There is no guarantee for tomorrow.

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for suffering and dying for my sins that now I have a new life in you by your Spirit. Please help Shaun, me, and others live in and by your Spirit’s leading, guidance, conviction, and empowerment. Amen.

 

Lord, please help us to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus.” Hebrews 12:1-2.

 

Friends, we must lay down that weight and sin that often entangles us. Ask God to show you as I do the same to deal with it. Paul said, shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? The answer is, “God forbid.” There is cost/pain in forsaking sin, but we are still saved by grace through faith; and not by works lest we boast. Ephesian 2:8-9.

 

Do we still sin? Yes. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10.

 

Let us cry out for help like Shaun. Jesus will forgive the worst of sinners. Call on the Lord today to forgive you and believe and trust Him. May God’s grace be sufficient for you and me. Amen.

 

Let us live for the will and pleasure of God. Sin shall not and does not have dominion/rule over our lives. Christ shattered and broke its hold and power over us. Hallelujah!

This Thanksgiving, thank God for this Greatest Truth – I am forgiven, saved from sin and death by Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.                                                     Happy Thanksgiving!