1 Peter 1:22
Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.
I have been considering my life and how I have lived over the past few years. I am now 51 years old – almost 52. I guess to some I am considered to be “old” and I guess I am. However, I still struggle with youthful sins. It seems that they are always at my door just waiting to run into my life – If I open the door.
Today, as I was doing my quiet time, the Lord spoke to me through this verse. It clearly teaches that if I obey the Lord as instructed in His word through the Spirit of God in me, then the result is more and more purity. I have found that I am less sinful than I used to be. The youthful sins that I still struggle with and war against my soul have become less and for this, I am so thankful. I have also found that I am more aware of those sins that are just outside the door. I can see them there if you will. They are like a pack of hungry wolves just waiting for me to open the door and let them in. What is the result of letting them in?
Result of letting them into my soul:
- Destroys the Fellowship with the Lord – I sense only quietness!
- Destroys the Joy and wonder of walking with the Lord daily.
- Destroys the confidence and trust that I have in the Lord! Which then according to verse 4 of this same chapter where it says “if need be” I will be visited by various trials and difficulties so that I stop letting them in!
- I become Guilty! I hate the feeling of guilt! I know better! I say to myself, “Why did I let them in?”
- I become despondent for days and I thus irritate the Lord by saying over and over again “Please forgive me” when I know that moment I ask, that he has already forgiven me. I know that I have irritated God by me asking over and over and over again to please forgive me. He expects me to accept His forgiveness and move on in obedience.
- Then of course – there is the memory of the sin itself that I have to deal with. It is a new place for my sinful mind to go back to and sin all over again in my thoughts. David said in Ps. 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” and I sure do relate to this prayer. I do need God to renew a right spirit within me. How does he do this? Well, this verse is how He does it. Through my obedience.
So many Christians remain in the above scenario. They never seem to get out of the above cycle for very long because they never stop sinning to one degree or another for very long. Sin is the pattern of their lives – not obedience. Hmmm… I wonder if Matthew 7:23 would relate here? “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Unfortunately many will hear this come from the mouth of the Lord – directed at them! I NEVER want to be in that Group!
So how do I make sure that I am not? I must obey and allow the Lord to purify my soul over years of obedience and the turning away from my old sins.
The result
- More joy.
- More trust and confidence.
- Deeper peace.
- A guilt-free life with no regrets or skeletons in my closet that haven’t been dealt with.
- I enjoy having a good time in life and laughing with my friends. A soul that is free can laugh and have a good time with his brother and sisters!
- I can be warmed with the thought of heaven and the Grace that is to be revealed to me when He returns to get me!
Thank you, Lord! Help me to love you and others more and more!
Tim Gowens
7-26-19