1 Peter 4:1 says, "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin."
In recent meetings I have been asking congregations if we can live a sin free life?
The response is usually silence!
Some say yes while others say no, but the general response is mostly "We're not sure?"
The purpose of the question is to challenge people to examine a "sin free" possibility and to ask themselves why they do sin. No one ever commits a sin without first deciding to do so. All sin requires a decision to be made on our part before the sinful action takes place.
Actually, the reason that people sin is because we want to sin! Most of us won't admit that, but it is true! The scripture we quoted from 1 Peter 4:1 tells us that people sin because they are unwilling to "suffer in the flesh." We like our comfort too much. Let me explain.
When we are tempted to sin, we are being drawn away by the lust of our flesh. In short, our flesh desires something that we should not do! At that point, a battle usually follows. "After all, that guy just cut me off in traffic and he deserves to be cussed out!
Maybe I can get him at the next stop light!" Our flesh really wants to get back at this guy, but the Word says to walk in love! If I decide to walk in love, my flesh is going to "suffer". It suffers because I am resisting the desire to sin. It's much like the suffering an athlete does when training for competition. Training is tough, hard work on the body, but it pays off in the end!
Hebrews 5:14 tells us that through practice, we can develop our senses (flesh) to actually resist sin's attempts to knock us off course! Training camp is not always easy, but it's rewards are worth the effort! Be blessed!
-kandy colby
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