FACING  SEXUAL IMPURITY HEAD ON: (Part 2 of 4)

In last week’s “Facts” we gave three Motivations for Victory:  (1) Comprehend God’s high calling on our lives,  (2) Recognize that is not God’s intention that we live in a defeated state, and (3) Understand that God’s grace does not give us license to sin.  We continue:  

Appreciate the high cost of sin: ^“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (I Cor. 6:9, 10)  (See Pro. 5:8-14; 6:25-29, 32-35; 7:26, 27; 9:17, 18; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-5; Heb. 13:4)

Be aware of impending accountability:  ^“Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.”  (Ecc. 11:9)  (See Psa. 9:8; 96:10; Ecc. 12:14; 2 Cor. 5:9-11; 2 Pet. 3:10, 11)

STEPS TO VICTORY:

Ask God for a strong desire to live a holy life:  “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.” (I Jn. 3:2, 3)  (See Psa. 51:10; 119:133; 2 Cor. 7:1)

Comprehend the fact that in Christ, we are not under condemnation in our struggle with sin: “…There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom. 8:1, 2)  (See Rom. 8:34, 39; I Jn. 3:19-21)

Be aware of the impossibility of victory under the law:  ^“I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.  For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.  We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a save to sin.” (Rom. 7:10-14)

In next week’s “Facts” we will continue Steps To Victory.

This week, may you experience His grace, peace, and protection.

R. Dwight Hill