Day 2: Saved From Sin

Most people see or understand the word sin as an action or things we do that God hates. While that is correct it is only a part of the whole truth. Seeing sin as an action such as lying or stealing alone fails to provide the proper context of what sin really is. What we say or do is usually the external symptom of underlying conditions that are not visible to those around us.

Sin is a spiritual condition, it is a “nature”, and the nature of all human beings since the fall of Adam and Eve is sinful. It is out of that solid bedrock (nature of condition) that actions that we denote as sinful are produced. While Adam was created in the (spiritual) image of God, perfect and without any spiritual flaw after the fall we are told in Genesis 5 that Adam reproduced after his own (spiritual fallen) kind.

“And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.”

Genesis 5:3 NKJV

I have always said that spiritual problems require spiritual tools or solutions. Jesus came into the world as the spiritual solution. He paid the price for our sin and consequential separation from God. Once anyone and that is ANYONE anywhere regardless of race, ethnicity or lineage believes in Him they receive God’s gift of Salvation evidenced by the Holy Spirit who takes residence in our hearts (spirit). The Holy Spirit changes our spiritual DNA from being dead to God to being alive to God. It is becoming born again.

“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 2:38 NKJV

The Holy Spirit living and working in us gives us the power to serve and walk with God in righteousness and holiness. Walking in holiness is power in itself to overcome sin. The featured image for this devotional reminds me of the strong supporting arms of God reaching down in mercy and pulling me out of the sinking sand of sin. Do you get that picture? Are you able to imagine that for yourself?

“Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.”

Romans 6:19 NLT

God is Sovereign and we must do His will for in so doing we will reap the benefits of drawing with ease on the blessings we have inherited in heavenly places. See Ephesians 1:3

Praise and Thanksgiving

1. Give praise to God for our second day of fasting and prayer and for the grace that He has bestowed upon us
2. Give thanks for the next 12 days for the victory that is already stored up for us
3. Thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit

Requests

1. Ask the Lord for grace to totally surrender to His Holy Spirit
2. Ask for grace to hate sin as God our Father hates sin
3. Add prayer points as you feel led