SOAP Devotional 2014-07-03
Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer
Scripture:
We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. (1 John 5:18, 19 NLT)
Observation:
True Christians do not make a habit of living their lives in sinful ways because Jesus is with them and because the devil cannot touch them. We are separated from the world in lifestyle because we know we are the children of God and His community. And we know that the world around us, outside of the Christ community, is controlled by the devil.
Application:
It is foolishness for Christians to go around saying that we are just sinners saved by grace. We were just sinners, but we were saved by grace. Being a sinner is not the nature of someone who belongs to Christ and has Him living within them. Having that attitude excuses practicing sin by saying that is who we are. God’s Son, Jesus, holds us “securely”, and the devil does not control us. The devil cannot make a true believer do anything. When we miss the mark and sin, it is because we go against the divine nature within us, and choose to sin. The devil is not in control of our world, Jesus is! When we, as believers, get ahold of that we can begin to live a victorious life rather than battle a defeated life. If we stay occupied with that fight we are distracted from the real battle of fighting for lost souls.
Prayer:
Father, keep me from practicing sin in my life. You have changed me into a new man when I was born again into your kingdom. Help me to live like it and to have a full realization of that in my mind.
