Today, just I'll call her from
the study just to hear her voice. And I called her today and we
were just talking about how how what Christ did on the cross
and the love that God has for us should never become commonplace. We hear it all the time, don't
we? We hear it all the time. And so there is a danger that
way that, oh, yeah, let it never be commonplace. Let the love,
the eternal love of God for you, who are the beloved of God, who
are the divinely loved ones, let it never become commonplace.
Let it fill you with awe. Let it fill you with awe. Let
it fill you with awe that Christ himself, God incarnate in the
flesh, came to this world for you, to redeem you, to redeem
me, to redeem all the elect. and let it just fill your heart
with joy when you contemplate these wonderful truths that we
who are sinners, who are saved by Christ and by God's grace
are are now called the sons of God. This is a declaration. Of what we are in Christ, this
is a declaration again. Remember, we looked at this.
This is a declaration of our present state before God. It's
not now, now, it's not, well, you're gonna be the sons of God
when you get the glory. Now are you the sons of God.
Right now are you his children. Right now. Right now. Right now you're redeemed by
the precious blood of Christ. Right now you have all the forgiveness
of all your sins if you're trusting in Christ. Right now. Right now. And right now you have this amazing
love of God, the eternal love of God. It's been bestowed upon
you since eternity, even though we didn't know it. But that love
has never changed for us and towards us. Now we love the father. Now we love God. And we see in
verse two that we're not what we will be because we know we're
being conformed to the image of the son right now. Well, we're here on this earth,
but it says, He shall appear, we shall be like Him. When He
shall appear, we'll be like Him. For we shall see Him as He is.
We'll see Him in the glorified state. And we'll be glorified. Then verse three brings forth
the wonderful hope that we have of salvation in Christ and in
him alone. And oh, what what wondrous love
God has for his people. It's on full display here. When
we read, behold, what manner of love the father had bestowed
upon us that we should be called the sons of God. Be in awe of
that love. Be in awe of it. It's only bestowed
upon God's people. And God's people alone. And so
what a hope we have. What a hope we have. And it's
all, the hope that we have is all a result of the wondrous
love that has been set upon us. That has been bestowed upon us.
And again, remember, that love, the love that God has for his
people is an unchanging, unchanging love. Because God is the same
yesterday, today, and forever. So therefore, his love never
changes towards his people. He's always loved us. Brother Tim and I were talking
about how our finite minds can't understand some of the things
we read. That's one of the things we can't understand in our finite
minds, can we? That his love was set upon us
from eternity. Oh my. So we just marvel. We just absolutely marvel. So
what a hope we have. What a hope we have in Christ.
And we have this hope based upon absolutely no input from ourselves. Based upon absolutely no input
on ourselves. It's all because of the great
work of redemption that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished for
us at Calvary's Cross. That we are called the sons of
God. that we are justified, that we
are sanctified, that we are redeemed, that we are accepted in Christ.
And it all stems from God's eternal love that was set upon us from
eternity. It's wonderful. It's absolutely
wonderful. I ask you who are a believer
in Christ, who do you abide in? Who do we abide in? Who is the
one who keeps us from falling? Turn, if you would, to John,
chapter 15. Who's the one who keeps us from falling? So who
do we abide in, and who's the one who keeps us from falling
in our walk through this world? Who's the one who keeps us? Who's
the one we abide in while we're going through this world? Well,
we who are the redeemed know that it's the Lord Jesus Christ,
don't we? Look at this in John 15, verses
one to five. I am the true vine. So the Lord
declares himself as the true vine. He's the only savior of
sinners. And my father is the husbandman.
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away. And
every branch that beareth fruit, he purges it, that it may bring
forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the
word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. We abide in Christ, don't we?
He abides in us. We have Christ the hope of glory,
don't we? Abide in me and I in you as the branch, that's us,
that's us, we're but branches. He's the vine, we're the branches.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of what? Itself. We can't bear fruit of ourselves.
Except at what? Abide in the vine. So think of
a tree out here, or a tree in your yard. All the nutrients
that goes to those branches that creates those beautiful blooms
that we see in the springtime, right? All the nutrients come
up through the trunk, doesn't it? And if you cut one of them
branches off, what happens to those beautiful blooms within
a day or two? They just die. Because the branch
cannot live without the vine, without the trunk. It can't. Now look at this. No more can
ye abide in me and I in you as a branch cannot bear fruit of
itself except it abide in the vine. No more can ye except you
abide in me. Now look at verse 15. I am the
vine. Ye are the branches. He that
abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.
And here's the kicker right here. For without me, ye can do nothing. Nothing. Just as a branch, when you break
it off, it just withers and dies. When you break it off from the
trunk or from the vine, without me, Christ says, you can do nothing. So now we who are the saints
of God, we know our own frailty, don't we? We know our own frailty. Let's go back to 1 John 3. We
know our own frailty. We know we are but saved sinners. We know that. We know that. We've
been taught that. We've been taught that without
Christ we can do nothing. Therefore, as a result of that,
as a result of without Christ we can do nothing, as a result
of that, this love that God has for us is absolutely incredible. It's absolutely incredible. This amazing love of God that's
set upon us, again, has been set upon us since eternity. So
with that in our minds, let's now read verses three and five.
Whosoever commit a sin transgresses also the law, for sin is the
transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifest
to take away our sins, and in him is no sin. So we see very
clearly in verse four that sin is a transgression of the law.
Whose law? God's law. Sin is a transgression
of God's law. God's holy law. The law of God. Therefore, because we are all
sinners who are the sons and daughters of Adam, we can conclude
then that we're all transgressors of the law. Everyone on the top side of this
earth. Turn, if you would, to Romans
chapter three, with this in mind. The text there says, whosoever
commit a sin transgresses also the law, for sin is the transgression
of the law. Look at Romans 3.10, in light
of this. As it is written, there is what?
None righteous, no, not one. You know why? Because every one
of us has transgressed the law. That's why. That's why the statement
is there. That's why there's none righteous,
no not one. Because every sinner has transgressed
the law and we are born dead in trespasses and sins. And then
look a little further down in verse 11. Paul continues to write,
remember it's by inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God. There
is none that understandeth. There is none that seeketh after
God. Why? Because we're all sinners. Just like, what did Adam do?
When God came, after Adam had ate the fruit, was he out there
saying, hey, I'm right here, Lord? No, he was hiding, wasn't
he? And he covered himself with a
fig leaf that pictures man's works trying to cover his nakedness.
We can't cover ourselves from the presence of God. By our own
works. But the Lord slayed an animal,
didn't he? A sheep. And they were covered in them
skins, beloved. Now that picture's substitution. That animal died
to cover them. Well, one died for us. To cover
us from all our sins, beloved. Look at that. There is none that
understands. There is none that seeketh out. Why? Because they're
all gone out of the way. They all together become unprofitable.
That's our natural state. There is none that do it good,
no, not one. Why? Because whosoever committed
sin transgresses also the law. For sin is the transgression
of the law. That's what our text says in 1 John 3, 3, 4. Then look a little further down,
look at verse 19 to 20. Now we know that what things
soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law.
Well, that's everybody, right? That every mouth may be stopped
and all the world may become guilty before God. Everyone. All the world means all. That's
everyone. Therefore by the deeds of the
law there what? Shall no flesh be justified.
Why? Because we break the law. We can't fulfill the law of God.
We're lawbreakers, beloved. That's what we are. And Christ
is the law fulfiller, because he's sinless. He's perfect, and
he did it in the place of his people. Therefore, by the deeds
of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in his sight. That's
in God's sight, right? Remember, Christ offered himself
up to God for our sins, because it's God's law that we've done.
He offered himself up for our sins. For by the laws and all
just sin, and then look at verse twenty three, it just declares
for all sin to come short of the glory of God. That's everybody.
That's every human. Except Christ, who was the God
man. Now let's go back to John, chapter first, John, chapter
three. Let's go back there. Now we'll read verses four and
five. Look at this. Whosoever commit
a sin transgresses also the law, for sin is the transgression
of the law." So we know we're all sinners. And you know that
he was manifest. Now remember who Paul's writing
to, just like in 1 Peter, or 2 Peter, the us word we looked
at is God's elect. Well, we know who Peter's writing
to. He's writing to those who have obtained like precious faith,
Peter was. But we know who John's writing
to, right? He's writing to those who've
been born again by the Holy Spirit of God. Those who are trusted
and resting in Christ, in Christ alone. And look what he says
here. And you know that he was manifest to take away our sins. And in him is no sin. Wonder of wonders. Wander of
wonders belong. John's writing to born again,
bloodwashed believers. And he says, and you know that
he was manifested being Christ to take away our sins. He's writing
of the incarnation here. Why did Christ come to this world?
To save his people from their sins. To save his people from
their sins. Now consider this. We see the
word called, turn if you would to 1 John 2, verse 29. And remember that this portion
of scripture is connected to verse 29. And look what it says
here. If you know that he is righteous,
you know that everyone that doeth righteousness is born of him.
Now that speaks of the born again believers. And we know from our
study on verse 29 in chapter two, it's speaking of those who
believe on Christ. Those who are born again by the
Holy Spirit of God. Those who rest and trust in Christ
cast our eternal souls upon him. We also believe his word, don't
we? We believe what this word says. We believe it. God has given us an understanding,
granted us faith to believe on Christ. And then we're clothed
in the perfect spotless righteousness of Christ. Marvel, marvel at
that, that's wondrous. were adopted in Christ, beloved,
born again by the Holy Spirit, now called the sons of God. Now with that in mind, let us
read again verses 4 to 10 of John chapter 3, where we see
again a series of contrasting statements in which God declares
how he sees his sons and daughters in Christ, which we know, sons
of God, speaks of both all male and female who are saved in Christ and how he sees us in Christ. Always remember as we read these
verses of scripture that the only one who has made us to differ
is God. Keep that in mind as we read
these scriptures here. Let's look at verse 4 and we'll
read to verse 10. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law,
for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that
he was manifested to take away our sins, and in him is no sin,
not being Christ. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth
not. Whosoever sinneth hath not seen
him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive
you. He that doth righteousness Doeth
righteousness is righteous even as he is righteous he that hath
He that committed sin is of the devil for the devil sinneth from
the beginning for this purpose the Son of God was manifest Manifested
that he might destroy the works of the devil Whosoever is born
of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaineth in him and
he cannot sin because he's born of God and In this, the children
of God are manifest, and the children of the devil. Whosoever
doth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth
not his brother. So is it any wonder when we read
these verses, is it any wonder that John said to the saints
of God, behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed
upon us? Is it any wonder? This love that
God has for His people, beloved, it's magnificent. It's magnificent. It's astonishing love. It's astonishing
love. Read these verses and be astonished
at God's love if you're one of His people for you. For you. God sees you in Christ. He sees you in Christ. Let that
truth just sink deep into your soul, beloved. And remember that it's only God
who's made us to differ. It's only God who's made us to
differ. Look at verses four and five again. Whosoever committed
sin transgresses also the law, for sin is the transgression
of the law, and ye know that he was manifest to take away
our sins, and in him is no sin. Verse four again declares that
everyone who commits sin breaks the law. Well, we're all lawbreakers.
Again, but he's the law keeper. And He did it in our place, the
sinless one, the perfect one. Scripture declares of us, for
all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Look at verse five and see the
amazing, wondrous love of God and behold what manner of love. This love, beloved, divinely
loved ones, this love is being manifested Christ is truth incarnate. We could even say love incarnate
for his people. Look at this. Christ was manifest
to take away our sin, our sins, and in him is no sin. Look at
that again. And ye know that he was manifest
to take away our sins, and in him is no sin. You see the little
word there, no? See where it says no sin? It's talking about the Lord Jesus
Christ. It's talking about the fact that
he had no sin. I decided to look this little
word no up today in the Greek. We see it all the time, don't
we? Do you know that the Greek word
brings forth the absolute negative? No sin. Absoluteness. It's in the absolute negative. No sin. None. Not at all. Absolute. You can't get any more
than absolute, can you? And think of this. We're born
dead in trespasses and sins, right? We're born dead in trespasses
and sins, so we're the opposite to the absolute negative. when
it comes to sin, because our natural state, even after we're
saved, we are in the absolute positive when it comes to sin. Think of that. Because everything we do is tainted
with sin. Therefore, we're absolute sinners.
And he was absolutely not a sinner. It's incredible, isn't it? It's
absolutely incredible. And so as a result of the mighty
work of the Lord Jesus Christ dying as the substitute of his
people, God does not see those who are born again, blood-washed
saints, those who are called the sons of God, our great God,
does not see us as transgressors. Because his only begotten son
has taken away the sins of his people. Taken them away And since there's no sin in the
one who bore away our sin then God sees us in Christ Therefore
the God seizes people without sin That's amazing in that oh What manner of love is this Oh, my soul. That's all we can
say. Now, we're still sinners. We
know that. You talk to any believer, we'll
tell you we're a sinner. We all are. Even after the Lord saved us,
but praise be to God, our great God has forgiven us all our sin.
Turn, if you would, to Romans chapter four in light of this.
Romans chapter four. And listen to what Paul pens
by inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God. Listen to this. Look at this. God sees us in Christ, beloved. Romans four, verses one to eight.
What shall we then what what shall we say then that Abraham,
our father, is pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if
Abraham were justified by the works, he hath wore of the glory,
but not before God. Now, so what that verse is telling
us right there is that if Abraham was justified by works, will
he glory before men? Not before God, because no man
is justified in the eyes of God by the works. But man will give
him the praise, eh? And trust me, I was in religion,
that happens a lot. Pat each other on the back. Well, but not before God, for
what sayeth the scriptures, Abraham believed God, he just, he believed
what God said. We believe on Christ, we believe
what God says in his word, don't we? We've been granted faith
to believe, beloved. Abraham believed God, and it
was what? Counted unto him for righteousness. He's clothed in
the same righteousness we are, beloved. Now to him that worketh is the
reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that
worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly,
his faith is counted for righteousness. Oh, even look at this. Now here
we go. Even as David also described
the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputed righteousness
without works, saying, blessed are they whose iniquities are
what? Forgiven. out in Christ and whose sins
are covered, covered, beloved by the precious blood of the
Lord Jesus Christ. And look at this. Blessed is
the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Because our sins
were imputed to Christ. And he paid everything that God
demanded for our sins. We are washed in the precious
blood of Christ. We have an absolute full pardon
in Christ Jesus, our Lord. So beloved, divinely loved ones,
behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us.
We may be called the sons of God. And look at this, Christ
was manifested to take away our sins. Back in Chapter three, he was
manifest, verse five, he was manifested to take away our sins. That's why he came. Save us from our sins. And him
was no sin, none, not not nothing. Perfect. Spotless. Lamb of God. Perfect in his life
and in his death. Perfect. Again, remember what our Lord
and remember this in light of what our Lord said to the disciples
and in John 15 that we were without me, you can do nothing. Without Christ, we have no redemption.
Without Christ, we have no sanctification. Without Christ, we have no justification
before God. Without Christ, we have no salvation,
because we cannot save ourselves. Without me, He says, you can
do nothing. Nothing. Without Christ, we're just headlong
into condemnation, right? We cannot justify ourselves before
God, but beloved, behold what manner of love has been bestowed
upon us, we who are called the sons of God, because in Christ,
we are complete, absolutely complete, made fit for heaven, qualified
for heaven, beloved, through Christ in Christ alone. And the scripture brings forth
that whosoever bideth in him, not being Christ, sinneth not.
Although we're sinners in the flesh, our sins are not imputed
to us, beloved. Just like we saw over there in
Romans. Why? Because Christ paid for all our
sins. Everything that God demanded
for the sins of his people, he paid in full. That's why those
words are so precious. It is finished. And I will just
keep saying those over and over and over again. But they're wondrous
to God's people. And we've seen him and we know
him, don't we? He's revealed himself to us, and we've been
given eyes of faith to behold. Now, let's go over to 1 John
1, verses 8 to 10. Now, we know We know that in of ourselves
we cannot say we sin not, because we're sinners, aren't we? But
in Christ, in Christ, beloved, God does
not impute our sins to us. Look at this, though, in 1 John. If we said of ourselves, if we
said that, oh, yeah, you know, I just found out there's a new
group meeting in here in town, and they're what's called holiness
folks. Let me tell you a little bit
about holiness, folks. They believe that they can make
themselves perfect. They believe eventually they
can obtain a position where they don't sin anymore. Well, let's
just look at the scriptures here. Because God's people, we say,
even though we're saved, we're still sinners. But praise God,
he don't impute my sin to me. Look what the scriptures say
here, though. Look at this. Let's just look at this. Verses 8 to 10. If we say that
we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. Look
at that. It's so plain, isn't it? It's so plain, beloved. If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned,
we make him a liar. We make God a liar. if we say
we haven't sinned. That's what the scripture plainly
declares here. And His word is not in us. I'll just leave that there. That's
incredible, isn't it? Have you ever told anyone that
we're all sinners? Have you ever told anyone that
we're all sinners? Have they not looked at you in
a strange way? Or have they not denied it? right
before you got mad because you said, we're all sinners. You
can even lump yourself in there. We're all sinners because we
are right. And then they get mad at you.
Well, you know why they do that? Because they've not seen Christ. They've not seen Christ. They
do not know him. They do not know him. They have
not been given eyes to look to Christ. But we've been shown who Christ
is, haven't we? We who are his people, we've
been shown who Christ is by God's grace and by God's mercy. And
what do we see? We see his holiness, don't we? And we see our sinfulness. And a born again believer confesses
after having a glimpse of who Christ is. And what we are. We confess, I'm only a sinner
saved by grace. That's what we confess, isn't
it? I'm only a sinner saved by grace. So we see here that John
is again showing the great contrast between those who are the children
of God, called the sons of God, at the beginning of this chapter,
and those who are not. And again, the only thing that
has made us to differ is God. is God and God alone. So beloved,
behold, what manner of love has been bestowed upon us. And it's
all by the grace and mercy of God. So what we see, we see that
this is a declaration of God's people, what we are in Christ. And the declaration of those
outside of Christ, look at this, whosoever abideth in him, sinneth
not. Whosoever sinneth hath not seen
him, neither knowing him. Then let's look at verse 7 here,
it says this, little children, let no man deceive you. He that
doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. I'm
going to read what Brother Tim wrote about this. He says verse
7 is an admonition to listen to no man, even ourselves. God in this verse asserts that
not only do we not sin, we do righteousness before him because
we are righteous. And we know that we are only
righteous by the righteousness of Christ. We are only righteous
because we abide in him. We only have our sins all forgiven
because we are in Christ. That's the key. We're sinners
still, but yet God does not. He does
not impute our sins to us because they were placed upon Christ
and he bore them all. He he he. My goodness. Behold, what manner of love.
The father has for us. And this can only be said of
us again because we are in Christ. Brother Tim James goes on to
say this is how God calls it in that wonderful. This is how
God calls it. Now, do not be deceived by false
prophets and wicked persons who preach that it does not matter
how a person lives. See, some people would take this
truth and say, well, you can just do whatever you want. That's
a lie. Because God's people won't do that. No. And they say, well, it does not
matter how a person lives provided he believes the gospel or the
His knowledge of theology is sufficient without obedience
to the Lord sheep of Christ and conduct. No, the love of Christ
constrains us. It constrains us. But our salvation,
let me tell you this clearly. Our salvation is holy in Christ
and dependent upon him, not upon us. Isn't that wonderful? That's
wonderful. But God's people, the love of
Christ again constrains us. It constrains us. And we who
are abiding in Christ and united to Him by faith and justified
by His grace and regenerated by His Spirit, we'll seek to
please our Lord, won't we? Yes, we will. We know we're sinners. But oh, again, we're sinners
saved by the wondrous grace of God in Christ. And remember,
a tree is known by its fruit, so a righteous man is known by
his works. A good fruit does not make a
tree good, but it shows that it's good. So good works do not
make us righteous. It's just evidence of our faith
in Christ. And we know that the good works
we do, they come from God. We don't even, as a matter of
fact, we don't even know when we do them. If you think you've
done a good work, you haven't done a good work. We don't even
know. Because remember, remember those, the Lord said, well, as
much as you've done a lot of me, right? And they said, Lord, when did
we do this? When did we do these things? and he listed several
things that they'd done for each other. Not even having a clue. Contrast with those who are in
Matthew 7 that say, Lord, look what we've done. Look at all
we've done for you, Lord. And the Lord says, I never knew
the part for me. Oh, my. Oh, my. So keep in mind, let's
turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 5, keep in mind that that. Oh, my God was in Christ reconciling
the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses, and that we
know that's God's people unto them and have committed unto
us what the the word of reconciliation. Look at Second Corinthians five,
19 to 21. Look at this. And remember, I
want us to key on these words. Remember about abiding in Christ.
OK, remember about abiding in Christ. To wit, verse 19, that
God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing
their trespasses unto them, and hath committed unto us the word
of reconciliation. The Gospel is all about reconciliation
with God, peace with God through Christ. Now then, we are ambassadors
for Christ, as though God did beseech you, by us, We pray you
in Christ dead be reconciled to God for he hath made him to
be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness
of God what in him in Christ and in Christ alone there's the
key in him in Christ that we might be made the righteousness
of God in Him. This ties right in with our study
tonight. We abide in Christ, don't we? Now look a little further
down. Actually, turn a book over to
1 Corinthians 1. 1 Corinthians 1. Look at verses
30 and 31. 30 and 31. And I'm going to read verse 6
in our study again. Whosoever abideth in him, that being Christ,
sinneth not. Whosoever sinneth hath not seen
him, neither known him. So the believer abides in Christ.
We saw that in John 15 when we looked at that. Look at this,
1 Corinthians 1, verses 30 and 31. But of him, that being Christ,
are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and
righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Again, in Christ. You note the little words there?
In Christ. It's in Christ that we're made wisdom, righteousness,
sanctification, and redemption. Because he's all that for us,
beloved, that according as it is written, he that glorieth,
let him glory in the Lord. Again, but of him are ye in Christ
Jesus. Now let's go back to 1 John 3.
Let's read verses 8 and 9 now. 8 and 9. And put your finger in John chapter
8, we'll be going there. John chapter 8. 1 John 3 verses 8 and 9. He that committeth sin is of
the devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this
purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works
of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth
not commit sin, for his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot
sin, because he is born of God. So we see a contrast here put
before us. We see in verse 8, a man or woman
who practices sin and disobedience to the commandments of Christ
is not of God, but he takes his character from the evil one,
the devil. Now let's turn to John chapter 8. John chapter
8, beloved. Look what the Master says here.
He's speaking to some Jews here, and look what he says here. In
John chapter 8, we're starting verse 39, and we'll read to verse
45. They answered him and said, Abraham
is our father. Jesus saith unto them, if ye
were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.
And Abraham, what? He believed God, didn't he? He
believed God. But now ye seek to kill me, a
man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God. This
did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. They said unto him, We be not
born of fornication, we have one father, even God. Jesus said
unto them, If God were your father, ye would love me, for I proceed
forth and came from God. Neither came I of myself, but
he sent me. Why do you not understand my
speech? Even because you cannot hear
my word. Look at that. And then look what
he says in verse 44. Ye are of your father the devil,
and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer
from the beginning, and a bow not in the truth, because there
is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh
of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it. And because
I tell you the truth, you believe me not. So behold, beloved, what manner
of love. The father has bestowed upon
us that we who are the children of God, Christ was manifested. That he might destroy the works
of the devil. Christ came not only to put away
our sins in regard to the penalty of them and the curse of the
law, but beloved, our great God and Savior has delivered us from
the power of Satan. From the power of Satan. Turn
if you would to Romans chapter 6. Romans chapter 6. We've been
delivered from the power of Satan and the practice of ungodliness.
Now again, I've said this many times, we hate sin in ourselves,
but we also hate sin everywhere, don't we? We hate sin, period,
but more in ourselves than anywhere else. Oh, there was a time when
we loved sin. Drank it like water. Not anymore. Oh, we long to be in the presence
of our King when we'll be sinless, don't we? Look at this in Romans
chapter six. We'll read verses 12 to 18. Let not sin therefore reign in
your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lust thereof.
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness
unto sin, but yield yourself unto God. Unto God. As those that are alive from
the dead. We've been raised from the dead,
beloved. We've been raised from our state of spiritual deadness. We're new creatures in Christ.
We're born again in the Holy Spirit of God. And you're members
as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have
dominion over you. It doesn't have the power it
once had over us. For ye are not under the law, but what?
Under grace. Wonderful. What then? Shall we
sin because we're not under the law, but under grace? Oh, shall
we just go and do whatever we please then? God forbid. God
forbid, Paul writes. Know ye not that to whom ye yield
yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are, and to whom
ye obey, whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness?
But God be thanked, O praise God, that ye were the servants
of sin. That was our state. That was
our natural state. But ye have obeyed from the heart that former
doctrine which was delivered you. Remember, it came to us.
The gospel came to us, didn't it? We didn't seek it out. We didn't seek Christ out, not
till he made us willeth. But look at this being then made
free from sin, free, free, free indeed. If the sun set us free,
we'll be free indeed, won't we? Look at that being then made
free from sin. Christ paid it all. He becomes
servants of righteousness. Now we willingly serve our great
king. Oh, my, the shackles are gone. We're we're we're released from
the prison house of sin, beloved. only by Christ what he's done.
Let's go back and read verses 8 and 9 again in 1st John chapter
3. He that commit a sin is of the
devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this
purpose the Son of God was manifested, he might destroy the works of
the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin, for
his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin because he is born
of God. Marvel at verse 9. Marvel at
verse nine and behold, what manner of love have been bestowed upon
we who are in Christ, we who are the sons of God marvel at
this. We do not have our sins imputed
to us. Because the perfect substitute,
the perfect substitution made by God's son for God's sons destroyed
the works of the devil. And our sins are not imputed
to us because they were imputed to Christ. Marvel. And He has paid everything
that God demanded for all His people. Whosoever is born of
God doth not commit sin, for a seed remaineth in him, and
he cannot sin because he is born of God. Oh, what amazing love. What amazing love has been bestowed
upon we who are the people of God. What amazing love this is, and
how is it not magnified in the fact that we who are sinners
are in Christ, and when God the Father looks upon us, He doesn't
see our sin. Oh, what love. Oh, what love. He remembers, the scripture says,
he remembers our sins and iniquities. No more. We've been given a full
pardon. Is it any wonder then what Paul
wrote there? Being then made free from sin,
you became servants of righteousness. Free. We were shackled, beloved. Scripture says the cords of sin.
That sin was like a bunch of cords wrapped us around. We couldn't
even move. Free. That's why Paul also wrote,
stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free. Stand
fast in that liberty, that freedom. Because it's all by God's grace.
And this amazing love has been bestowed upon those who are the
elect of God, those who are born again of the Holy Spirit of God.
Those who are new creatures in Christ. Those who are born from
above and washed in the perfect spotless, washed in the precious,
precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the perfect spotless
lamb. So behold, beloved, divinely loved ones, behold what manner of love the
Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the
sons of God. And all we can say is praises. My heavenly father, we thank
you. For the wondrous truths that
are contained in my scriptures, and we know that that these holy
men. We're only holy in in Christ
Jesus, only in you. And the Holy Spirit moved. And
had them pen these wondrous words. And oh, what a great forgiveness
we have. What a great salvation we have
in you, Lord Jesus. May we marvel in this this week. May these words be sweet to our
souls. May they be manna from heaven
as we look at these scriptures and marvel at the scriptures.
Marvel at the words that we've read and studied. All glory and
honor and power to thee, O Lord Jesus. May you be magnified in
Jesus' name. Amen. Well,