MEMORISE:
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
READ: John 1:1-14
1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
MESSAGE
When Jesus died on the cross, He bore all our sins with Him. According to 1 Peter 2:24:
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
Without Jesus’ death and resurrection, it would be impossible for anyone to be dead to sin. Now, we are above sin because Jesus destroyed its power on the cross. For anyone who connects with Jesus, His blood will wash away their sins and they will receive an unusual grace to live above it. Again, Jesus being the Word of God means that if you are constantly reading and meditating on the Scriptures, then you will live above sin, David said in Psalm 119:11
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
Jesus Christ Himself said in John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” This means that the word of God sanctifies. It is when you have the word dwelling richly in you that you have the supernatural power to live above sin.
Note that 1 Peter 2:24 says “that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness…..” This is contrary to the doctrine of ‘grace’ preachers when they say we can continue to sin once we have accepted Christ. No, His death on the cross gives grace to be dead to sin and live righteously, not to live in unrighteousness. Revelation 1:5 says: “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,” he shed His blood on the cross so as to wash us from our sins, not to permit us to commit it.
After your sin have been washed away by the blood of Jesus, you need the word of God to keep you sanctified. As you study the word of God diligently, the Holy Spirit will be ministering unto you and He will help you conform to the image of Christ.
REFLECTION:
How often do you study your Bible?
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 15-17
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 5: DEEPER, DEEPER IN THE LOVE OF JESUS.
1. Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
o Refrain:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.
2. Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.
3. Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
4. Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.
5. Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.
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