God became man to turn creatures into sons: not simply to produce better men of the old kind but to produce a new kind of man.  C.S. Lewis

As Christians, we are a new creation; we are no longer enslaved to our sin.  Although Satan will lie to us and tell us we MUST still give in to our sinful nature, Romans 6:11-14 makes it clear that we are dead to our old nature and that we are alive in Christ to a new way of life.  1 Corinthians 10:13 says that when we are tempted, that in His faithfulness, God will always provide a way out.

When we place our trust in the finished work of Christ to forgive and to change us, there is victory in the strength He provides. He has already given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), so we can stand firm against the temptation to sin. But, John gives us the reminder that if we do sin, we still have an advocate (1 John 2:2).  Because we are dead to sin, empowered to walk in a new life, and upheld by the Holy Spirit, we need not fear condemnation (Romans 8:1).

If you have been truly born again you have a new and holy nature, and you are no longer moved towards sinful objects as you were before. The things that you once loved you now hate, and therefore you will not run after them. You can hardly understand it but so it is, that your thoughts and tastes are radically changed. You long for that very holiness which once it was irksome to hear of; and you loathe those vain pursuits which were once your delights. The man who puts his trust in the Lord sees the pleasures of sin in a new light.  For he sees the evil which follows them by noting the agonies which they brought upon our Lord when He bore our sins in His own body on the tree. C.H. Spurgeon

Prayer: Father, thank you that you did not just save me from my sin and then leave me hopeless to change.  Thank you that You empower me to walk differently than I used to.  Thank you that your grace does not merely forgive my sins, but also continues to change me into Your image.  Thank you for the promise that You will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I can bear, and that as I actively place my trust in you, I will see victory over temptation and sins.  You have redeemed me.  You are changing me.  I look forward to the day when I stand before you fully sanctified and pure.  Let that motivate me to a deeper life of holiness and Christlikeness.

[copyright, 2010, Emily Schankweiler; A Sacrifice of Praise]

Related posts:

1. Guarding a Pure Walk

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert… (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Our Lord does not bind himself to the expectations of men or to the habits of time. Behold, he is doing a new thing! He is not held by the thickening mud of human tradition, he makes a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, peace among the wild beasts and sweet water to the people formed for his praise.

The prophet asks, almost incredulously, “Can’t you perceive this thing that he is doing?” Are you so blinded by your set ways that you cannot see the path God lays right before your eyes? Thus it was for the Pharisees, those blind guides who led people into darkness. So hard of heart, they refused to see salvation coming out of Zion, the Holy One of Israel, come to take away the sins of the world. They remained locked in patterns of works and self-righteousness while declaring their own praise. But the God who makes a way in the wilderness, a river in the desert, has brought something new: salvation through the suffering servant.

Do not be like the Pharisee, so consumed with his vision of himself that he was unable to perceive the mighty work of God. Be like the prophet himself, Isaiah, who saw the Lord seated on the throne and could only tremble as the angels cried out, “Holy, holy holy, is the Lord of hosts! The whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:1-6) God has done this great work so that the people would declare his praise (Isaiah 43:21). Christian, give praise to God!

Chris Roberts is the pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Panama City, FL and he blogs at Seek the Holy. He is married to Sandra and they have three kids.

Related posts:

1. What New Thing
2. remembering in the wilderness
3. but I don’t FEEL forgiven…
4. No Other God
5. God Brings Us Out of Our Distresses
6. Try a Little Tenderness
7. Man of Sorrows