Day 261 - What Can I Do?

"Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial." 

The above quote is a loose version of what you find in 1 Corinthians 10. As Christians we have many freedoms that we can and often should forgo for the sake of others. It is more important to win souls than to be comfortable. 

The question that is often asked is "What can I do?" Or more accurately; " How close to the line can I get?" At its core the question could be likened to being on the edge of a cliff saying "How close can I get to the edge effort I fall off?"  We see the folly in that question. 

I often suggest to people with this question that they look at the benefit. If it is not essential or beneficial then why get close to the line at all? I would rather live and major on the things which will benefit and bless. Too many times we focus on what we don't have rather than what we do have. What we do have is greater and more important to our future. 

What are the essentials? What things are beneficial that we should focus on? 

Day 203 - The Devil's Grip

"From the Word: Exodus 8:28 Pharaoh tells Moses that the children of Israel can go worship but he says not to go too far away. Not too far from his reach and their bondage. He will give a little if he doesn't lose his grip. Sin and the devil alike will allow us to go to church and worship The Lord if we don't go too far into Christianity. If we don't get radical and forsake the way of the world the devil is ok with us attending church, praying and even reading the Bible as long as they don't lose their grip on us. With God it is not so. There is no compromise. He tells us to go neither to the right or to the left and the way is narrow. We are to fix our eyes, our hearts and our minds and have one focal point; Jesus."

I don't think I need to say much more than that. Anyone who has struggled with sin knows the devil doesn't give up easily. He wants to dominate our lives and keep us in bondage. The Bible lays out two things for us to do in order to send the devil packing: 1. Submit to God. 2. Resist the devil. It sounds easy but when faced with temptation it seems like it is the hardest thing to do. The good news is that God has given us the power of His Spirit to do what He asks of us.

You don't have to stay in bondage to sin. God has freed those that have been born again from the devil's control. You simply need to submit to God and resist the devil and the devil will flee.

Have you been born again? If not click here. What are your thoughts on Exodus 8:28, sin and bondage?