Not of This World Who Dwells in Me

1 John 7:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Living in this world and walking in the Spirit is our ammunition in getting through the days, weeks, months and years.  Prideful behavior and lustfulness are rampant, and glaringly apparent all around us. One just has to take a quick peek at the media, or at the person in front of you online in a store. There is a difference between those walking in the Spirit, and following His commandments, verses those who answer and react to “their carnal” desires. Sinning is something we have all done. There isn’t anyone who hasn’t sinned. It’s how we react to that sin that determines what happens next. Walking in the Spirit is inherently so important in the life of a Christian.

1 Corinthians 4:16– know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?

There has always been Spiritual warfare going on since before the beginning of time.  There was a great battle even before the earth was formed by God’s hands. Spiritual warfare is something real and ongoing.  It will be going on until Christ returns with His army and battles the evil forces to make His Kingdom here on Earth.  And it will be beautiful, peaceful, idyllic- blissful for all eternity. When Jesus Christ establishes His rightful place, and all knees will bow, and every tongue will proclaim Jesus Christ is Lord.

Those of us who choose to have real fellowship with Him experience His grace and live our lives in faithfulness. When we walk in the light, it means we believe God’s truth as revealed in His word.  We continue to make a sustained effort to follow in His word and deed. We are all sinners, and we must try to formulate our existence in what He expects from us, His children.

If we claim that we have never sinned, we are in essence saying we do not need the efficacy of Christ’s death, therefore sort of downplaying His sacrifice. We all try to live without sin, but we are all susceptible to sinning. If we do fall into sin, the remedy is to confess and forsake that particular sin.

Jesus’ death as the propitiation for our sins, and His heavenly ministry as our Advocate is the basis and foundation for our assurance of forgiveness.  He cleansed our sins.  Jesus intercedes before God on our behalf on the basis of His atoning death.  His blood washed us clean.  His death and resurrection, and our active faith in Him is all we need to live forever. We can walk boldly into the inner courts of God because of Jesus’ blood.

God sent His son to cleanse us.  We choose to either accept the living waters and the Lamb of God-in order to live forever, and thirst no more, or we don’t.  For those who choose not to accept Him look around -it is clearly apparent in the news, on the streets where we walk and live. Not believing or accepting Christ, one can see where that will lead and it’s not a pretty ending.

So don’t say “where is God?” when things happen in the world that are disgusting. God is there and always will be there.  It is your choice always has been.  God’s arms are always open, He is always waiting to embrace you with His love and protection. The world can be harsh, cruel and totally devastating. But when we walk with God and listen to God it makes things tolerable and easier to maneuver through our daily routine of living. And when we follow His will for our lives, we thrive no matter the circumstances. He makes it easier to get through it all.

For me the choice is beyond simple.  How about you?

“Father, I thank You daily for Your love, protection and promises, for Your grace and forgiveness in Jesus’ name, Amen.” 

1 John 7:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 John 1:8-9 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.   If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 2:4-5 He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: herby know we that we are in Him.