Shall Not Be Master Over You
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Shall Not Be Master Over You
It’s so much easier to just go with the flow than to buck the system. So, that is the route most people take. That is why Jesus pointed out in Matthew 7:13-14,
Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.
Temptations galore are the wide gate and plain ol’ sin is the broad way that damns us eternally. It’s easy to see that most everyone lets temptations conquer them. All around we see cheating, stealing, lying, adultery, murder, gossip, slander, arrogance, — and nobody thinks they do the bad stuff deserving of eternal damnation.
No matter what anyone’s personal opinion, the broad way does lead to hell. So, where is that small gate and narrow way that only a few find? Jesus is that small gate. He points to this gate in John 10:9,
I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved.
We can get to heaven through Jesus only. There is no other door that will open up the way to heaven. If Jesus is the door — the gate — what is that narrow way we must go on? We travel day by day by faith, through the grace of God. Ephesians 2:8 shows us,
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.
What is this grace? Grace is the undeserved love of God for each and every one of us. God’s love remains faithful, even though we have sinned. God’s grace — His undeserved love — is like a strong hand leading us and holding us up. It is love leading us.
Every time we are tempted to sin, God’s love (grace) for us in Jesus Christ stands in front of us as a reminder. When tempted, we see Jesus suffering and dying to pay for that sin. When we see God’s love (grace) in Christ, we don’t want to reject or despise such a tremendous love for us. That would be horrible. We just can’t do it.
We believe Jesus suffered and died for our sins. That is faith. When we stop sinning because we don’t want to hurt Jesus’ love for us, that is God’s love (grace) leading us on the narrow path to eternal life. And so, Romans 6:14 shows us,
For sin SHALL NOT BE MASTER OVER YOU, for you are not under law, but under grace.
When we understand God’s true love for us, we simply don’t want to sin against Him.
Sin used to easily lure us into all sorts of evil ways. Since everybody else is sinning like crazy, we let sin be the master over us, too. If other people are hateful, sin masterfully convinces us it is okay for us to be hateful. We just fall into the groove of being a slave to sin. We let sin master us. It’s easy.
But, sin can no longer master us when we let the love (grace) of God lead all of our living.
So, what do we want for a master? Sin — or the love (grace) of God? One or the other will rule over you. Let us look to Christ, our Savior, for the love (grace) and guidance we need. He alone is able to lead us on the way everlasting.
Then we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, You have set me free from sin. Always rule in my heart that I may dwell in the light of Your love.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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