OBEDIENCE: GET UP AND KEEP MOVING

'As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance...' - 1 Peter 1 vs 14

The Believer is described as an obedient child.

Remember, the Believer is to walk by faith:

'...For we walk by faith, not by sight...' - 2 Corinthians 5 vs 7 {KJV}

What that means is that the Believer lives his life according to the truths of salvation he has believed. We live our lives in this world from that perspective, the Believer patterns his life according to the realities of the New Creation in Christ.

Now, since that is so, it means that the life of the Believer is a shining life: a life of righteousness, a life that reflects all the beauties of God. Glory to God!

Now, is it possible for a Believer to sin? Yes!

'My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous...' - 1 John 2 vs 1 {KJV}

• if any man sin

The phrase highlighted above shows us that it is possible for a Believer to sin. Now let's take a look at something:

'Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.' - 1 John 3 vs 9 {KJV}

• Whosoever is born of God does not practice sin

The above highlighted statement is the explanation of that verse. This verse does not suggest that a Believer cannot sin (in the literal sense), but the Apostle is teaching that one who is born again does not make an intentional practice of sin. The word 'commit' used in that verse means 'practice'. So, in this verse the Apostle was teaching on an intentional practice of sin.

But in the previous verse [1 John 2 vs 1], the Apostle said, "if any man sin". That shows you that the verse we just read never meant the Believer cannot have a moral flaw.

IF A BELIEVER SINS, DOES HE CEASE TO BE AN OBEDIENT CHILD?

This is simple. Let's see what the Bible teaches:

'If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' - 1 John 1 vs 8 - 9 {KING JAMES VERSION}

• If we confess our sins

The word 'confess' means 'acknowledge'. As obedient and honest children, if we sin, God wants us to make an honest acknowledging of it. Because, to acknowledge sin simply means that you recognise that it is foreign to who you are; to acknowledge sin is to detach yourself from it. Acknowledging sin is saying 'I have nothing to do with this nature'. And when you do that, the blood of Christ which has already been shed for the remission of our sins takes effect in you, and the result of that is PEACE.

'On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.' - 1 John 1 vs 9 {MSG}

• Make a clean breast of your sins

Meaning, fully accept that you have sinned! Accepting that you have done a wrong thing is how you detach yourself from it! And the blood of Christ which has been shed for your cleansing will take effect in you and cause you to be at peace. Glory to God!

You are still that obedient child of God. Yes you committed a sin, but now you have obtained forgiveness! Yes you messed up, but now you have been purged of that offence. Get up and keep moving! Hallelujah!

So therefore, beloved child of God, if you make a moral flaw, acknowledge it before God, receive His forgiveness which He has already given, and keep moving! Keep being obedient to the Word.

PASTOR, HOW DO I KNOW THAT GOD HAS FORGIVEN ME?

'In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace...' - Ephesians 1 vs 7 {KJV}

• In whom we have redemption through His blood

In this context, 'redemption' which he used in his communication means 'the forgiveness of sins'.

The Colossians account puts it clearer:

'In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins...' - Colossians 1 vs 14 {KJV}

The word 'even' used in the communication depicts an explanation of what was said. He said, 'in Christ we have redemption through His blood'. Then he added 'even the forgiveness of sins'. That means 'redemption' as used in that communication means 'the forgiveness of sins'. The Amplified Bible Translation puts it very precise:

'In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.' - Colossians 1 vs 14 {AMP}

Take note of the words 'which means'. In this translation it is clearly put. So we see that the redemption through His blood is the forgiveness of our sins.

So how do you know that God has forgiven you? It's simple. The Word says that in Christ we have the forgiveness of our sins. Are you in Christ? If yes, then you have the forgiveness of your sins. The forgiveness of sins is an inheritance we came into when we came into Christ. The Word says "we have"! That's a present tense reality, we have! So the man that is Born Again has the forgiveness of sins as an inheritance, it's our inheritance in Christ.

So the moment you accept that you have sinned, also accept that you have been forgiven! You see... You acknowledge that you have sinned, and you also acknowledge that you already have the forgiveness of your sins.

These two (2) acknowledgements will heal your conscience and set you standing again with full assurance and confidence before God. Hallelujah!

So, obedience demands that, if you sin, get up and keep moving. Don't stay there! Don't make that sin a habitual character - that sin is not you; you are not that flaw! You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus irrespective of your error! Obtain forgiveness, keep moving! Obtain forgiveness and keep moving in obedience to the righteousness of God.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

- Jenning U. Angel