Hello my friends! In phase two we will discuss the second obstacle to becoming a difference maker in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Last time we discussed the obstacle of pride, however this time we will discuss the obstacle of sin. Now everyone sins including yours truly. The type of sin I am referring to is Unrepentant Sin. Unrepentant Sin is sin that you have allowed, excused, and or embraced in your life. Unrepentant Sin is sin that has a stronghold in your life. It is sin that you place above God whether willingly or unwillingly. And the existence of such sin in your life will keep you from ever becoming a Difference Maker in the Service of Jesus Christ.
As we mentioned before for us to become difference makers we must go through a time of correction. We enter into a time when we do an inventory of our motives, actions, and beliefs in order to ensure we are ready to embrace whatever it is that God has for us in His service to Him. Removing the Obstacle of Sin is crucial to this journey. Paul teaches us in Romans 6:12 “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” He is telling us to choose our King! He says sin has no more dominion over us. In other words we are not forced to sin, we just choose to sin. Paul said our members are not to be used as instruments of unrighteousness. God called us to serve Him not ourselves or even satan.
When we choose sin we are making a conscious effort to say “I love this sin more than I love Jesus”. It is really that simple although many steeped in unrepentant sin would not want to admit it. For example take the sin of pornography and all of its implications. It is a destructive sin for any individual let alone a Born Again Believer of Jesus Christ. When a believer is considering whether or not they want to surf the web for such sites, he or she is making a choice that says “Jesus I don’t love You enough to not do this. In fact I love my self more and therefore I am going ahead”. It is a selfish choice that brings shame and remorse time and time again. It is a stronghold in your life that needs to be brought into submission by the power of the Holy Spirit. A stronghold is a deception you enter into based on the influence of sin. It is a pattern of bondage that enslaves an individual and is usually accompanied by demonic oppression. God doesn’t want His children locked in strongholds. Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. NKJV My friends through the power of the Holy Spirit we can overcome these strongholds and receive forgiveness from Jesus Christ. It starts with confession then repentance then victory in Jesus. In my own personal life I have been delivered from drunkenness through the power of the Holy Spirit and I have met so many who have overcome many strongholds in their lives. You don’t have to answer to this master. Your Master is Jesus Christ and He will give you the Power.
Finally take a look at John 8:7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” NKJV The woman mentioned was a slave to sin, sexual sin. When she met the Savior she received forgiveness. Jesus told her “Go and sin no more.” That command still exists today for all of us who receive forgiveness. We never hear the woman returning to the life of sin. She had an encounter with the Savior of mankind. To be a difference maker, we must rid ourselves of unrepentant sin. Only then will God be able to use us to our greatest potential.
Blessings
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