“We know [with confidence] that anyone born of God does not habitually sin; but He (Jesus) who was born of God [carefully] keeps and protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.” 1 John 5:18 AMP

As a redeemed child of God I have a new nature and perspective on life. Previously we discussed the reality that in Christ we are new creations and everything in our lives has become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) John reminds us of this fact n his first Epistle. The Amplified translation emphasizes the word know correctly translating the Greek word meaning to have experiential knowledge. Our confidence is the reality of the change in our lives through the work of the Holy Spirit. That Scripture remains us that daily we must “put on” the new man and walk in the new ways of God!

“But you did not learn Christ in this way! 21If in fact you have [really] heard Him and have been taught by Him, just as truth is in Jesus [revealed in His life and personified in Him], 22that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, 23and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], 24and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation].” Ephesians 4:20-24 AMP

WOW! Do you see the response we should have for what Christ has done for us? “Living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation” The issue is that whole we still have the sin nature and we fail it isn’t our lifestyle any longer! God spoke about this “new life” we now have in Christ through the prophet Ezekiel.

“26Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you, and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My ordinances and do them.” Ezekiel 36:26-27 AMP

Before the cross our only bent was toward sin. We were trapped as Scriptures says,

“But this is a people despoiled and plundered; All of them are trapped in holes or are hidden away in prisons. They have become a prey with no one to rescue them, and a spoil, with no one to say, “Give them back!” Isaiah 42:22 AMP

Satan had despoiled and plundered our lives. His goal was to destroy us and mar the image of God. All of us who battled addictions know all to well that we were trapped in our cycle and some hidden away in prisons with no one with the power to say to Satan “give them back.” Jesus however had the power to pay the price for our freedom. He now stands at the cave of our sin and proclaims, “come forth!” (John 11:43) Like Lazarus, from the grave comes new life! I love this account as the description of his current state was “he stinks!” (John 11:39) That was us before we heard the voice of Jesus! As Lazarus steps from the grave the command of Jesus is “unwrap and let him go.” From death to life, we bring with us the grave cloths of our sin and the command to the church is “unwrap the grave cloths.” It isn’t an easy process, but we need to help people move from accepting new life to embracing it! That is what is so beautiful about our Celebrate Recovery meeting. We are standing at the cave of people’s lives crying out “Come forth in Jesus’ name!” Remember that the next time you see someone struggling. Maybe there isn’t someone battling the enemy on their behalf. May God is calling you! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken