February 24

Read: John 17:13-17

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8).

Jesus Taught Freedom From Sin

When I accept Christ as Lord of my life, I am through with the sin business. Paul asks, “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:2) And Paul learned his theology from Jesus.

Our Lord expected persons who had found God to quit sinning. To the man whom He healed at the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus said, “Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:14). To the woman taken in adultery He said, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11). The clear implication is, if you are through with sinning, you are forgiven. Does it not follow just as clearly that, if you are forgiven, you should be through with sinning?

Forgiveness for the past should keep us from sin in the future. But evil is strong and men are frail. Our Lord knew that only the power of God in a sanctified soul can keep a man from sin in this life. His prayer for His disciples was, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil… Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Jesus taught us, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Origen commented on this passage: “A defiled heart cannot see God… he must be pure who wishes to enjoy a proper view of a pure Being.” Freedom from sin in this life is the proper preparation for heaven.

Affirmation For Today

I want for my life what Christ wants for me. I trust the power of the Holy Spirit to keep me from sin.