S) "24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,"
Jude 24 (NASB)
O) I wasn't sure about choosing this verse, because it seemed like a typical closing. Many of the books in the New Testament were written as letters to churches, and so they had this sort of ending, but something in this one stood out. Jude is describing God, about to give Him lots of praise in v.25, but it was then last 3 words of vs.24 that really caught my eye. As I discussed yesterday, one of the most amazing things about submitting ourselves to God is that we are then empowered to avoid temptations in a whole new way (see also James 4:7). Too often, avoiding sin is perceived as some sort of burden, a bummer, a kill-joy. This also, is a lie. One of the worst feelings in the world, is guilt. Trying to sleep when your day fills your mind with a regret so big you can't turn off your brain. The feeling of living day after day while trying to keep a shameful act a secret, afraid you'll be found out... it's exhausting. Too often it's overlooked, that one of the most simple, and sweetest joys, is to know that you are found not-guilty. To know that you can seek God out, without the fear of His wrath, because He's already forgiven you - it is truly a great joy!
A) First and foremost, I need to walk in repentence. All of this joy is lost if I am not first asking God for forgiveness for my sins, and genuinely turning away from them. Second, I need to be submitting myself to Him day-by-day, moment-by-moment so that I am enabled to walk in the righteousness He has given me. My ability to avoid sin is directly related to the degree to which I am submitted to Him. And lastly, I need to celebrate each day that I have victories over temptations. I need to accept the joy it gives me and share that with those who are closest to me (at least Kristin, right?).
P) Father, thank you for your forgiveness and making me new. Thank you for making a way to redeem me through Jesus Christ and for giving me your Holy Spirit to empower me over my temptations. I was born to sin, but I was reborn to your glory. Let my innocense through Jesus fill me with joy, which will prompt me to pursue your righteousness even more. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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