As seen in the previous life lesson, deliberate sin makes us vulnerable to Satan’s attack and has a wide ripple effect. Let’s look now at how we can avoid such disaster.
Life Lesson #9 – Falling by the wayside casts a shadow on previous successes – finish strong!
Now when the prophet who had brought him [the man of God] back from the way heard it, he said, “It is the man of God who was disobedient to the word of the Lord. Therefore the Lord has delivered him to the lion, which has torn him and killed him, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke to him.” Then he [old prophet] went and found his corpse thrown on the road, and the donkey and the lion standing by the corpse. The lion had not eaten the corpse nor torn the donkey. And the prophet took up the corpse of the man of God, laid it on the donkey, and brought it back. So the old prophet came to the city to mourn, and to bury him. (1 Kings 13:26-29)
Unfortunately, far too many people, who claim to know Christ as Lord and Savior, allow themselves to fall into sin. Then they seem content to stay there. This damages their personal reputations and hurts their families. It also harms the cause of Christ. Sadly, the unbelieving world looks for such failures as proof that God doesn’t exist and religion is another farce.
Such willful stumbling hinders people from coming to Christ and becomes a stumbling block to weaker believers. Yes, believers still sin, even as genuine followers of Christ. But such stumbles should be accidental, not intentional. There should be a noticeable difference in lifestyle for someone who is “in Christ” where “old things are passed away” and “all things are become new” (2 Corinthian 5:17). “All things” indicates an all-encompassing lifestyle.
God calls His true followers to holiness. “As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16). We are encouraged to, “Pursue … holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Holiness as a Lifestyle
Holiness is not something we put on and take off like a jacket depending on the situation. Saying, “God understands,” doesn’t provide an indulgence to do what we want when we want. Holiness doesn’t take a break. It is who we become, not something we do. Holiness is a transformational way of life that affects every day, every situation, all habits, all reactions, all dispositions, and all mindsets, at all times.
Contrary to popular belief, holiness isn’t optional for special occasions, vacations, holidays, worldly entertainment, when angry, when impatient, or for whatever other excuse we may offer. God is holy. There isn’t even a tinge of gray in Him. As His followers, He calls us to be holy as He is. Since He doesn’t tolerate anything remotely tarnished by this world, neither should we.
Falling into flagrant sin is typically due to one of two reasons. Either there has never been a spiritual rebirth, regeneration, with the Holy Spirit living inside OR a person is quenching and resisting the Holy Spirit’s influence and power in their lives. In either instance, there is either the absence of the Holy Spirit’s presence or the throttling of His power.
What is the life lesson to overcoming sin and pressing on to a lifestyle of holiness? Complete surrender to the Holy Spirit’s transformation. If we live in the Spirit, as filled with the Holy Spirit of God upon regeneration, we should walk [conduct ourselves, maintain lifestyles] in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). When we walk in the Spirit, we won’t “fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
So let’s walk and live in the Spirit, surrendering every moment to His transformation. Let’s partner with Him as He shapes, molds, and refines us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Yes, let’s finish strong!
Nate’s book, Called to Christlikeness, not Christianity – Purchase here.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Nate Stevens.
Featured Image by Christian GAFENESCH from Pixabay
SURRENDERED
YIELDING TO GOD’S PERFECT WILL
by NATE STEVENS
NEW RELEASE – NOW AVAILABLE!
CHRIST IN ME 30-DAY DEVOTIONAL SERIES
By NATE STEVENS
CLICK ON EACH BOOK TO LEARN MORE, DOWNLOAD A SAMPLE, OR BUY.
