RPG Adults
FREE FROM SIN
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26
1 Peter 4:1-4
Psalm 141
“…I kept thy precepts.”
FREE FROM SIN
The sinless Christ, God incarnate, took upon Himself the form of a servant and was obedient unto the death of the cross. This suffering and death were for our sins. Because of this we should have the same manner of looking at things as the Saviour (Phil 2:5-8).
Since we were identified with Christ in His suffering and death, we are freed from the bondage of sin. We are empowered by God to live as those risen with Christ (Rom 6:5-8). We must live in such a manner that this freedom can be clearly seen by the world. Our guiding principle must no longer be our desire. That which guides us in our new life in Christ must be God’s will as presented in His Word (1 Pet 4:2).
1 Peter 4:3 reminds us of the horrible state from which we were saved. Whether or not we were actively involved in such sins as mentioned here, we know the unsaved fallen nature of each individual is capable of such things. Before salvation, life was controlled by wickedness and personal desires (1 Cor 6:9-10). But after salvation, we must want nothing to do with such things (1 Cor 6:11). What a wonderful privilege to be free from sin and able to live a life of righteousness through the power of the cross.
The unsaved cannot understand the lack of desire for sinful pursuits on the part of the Christian. To refuse sin and pursue righteousness is to be marked as different from the world. This often brings persecution in the form of evil words concerning our activities. Throughout the ages, sinful men persecuted the servants of God because their lives and message spoke of God’s righteousness and the coming judgment (Luke 6:22). The Lord Himself was faced with such hatred and reminded His followers that their lot would be the same (John 15:18). But having the “mind of Christ,” that is to say looking at things as Jesus did, we see such persecution for righteous living as just another chance to witness for God.
THOUGHT: Do I live as one whom God has freed from sin?
PRAYER: Father, Thou hast chosen me to be Thy witness, help me to be a courageous one.