Go, and sin no more.

“We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. . . He is the [atonement] for our sins.” (1 John 2: 1-2).

We can be a slave to sin, or choose to turn from it. Sin cuts us from fellowship with our Holy God who wants to have communion with us, and for our joy to be full. God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. We can’t go on sinning, and expect communion with Him.

Satan, the accuser is demanding a death penalty. But we have the best defense attorney in the universe pleading our case. Jesus, God’s Son, is our defender.

I heard a true story on Z88.3 the other day by Steve Brown, about President Lincoln. He had bought a slave girl, and after he did he told her, “Your free to go.” She was confused, and asked him, “Free to go, to do what I want, to go where I want?” He said, “Yes.” She said, “Then sir, I want to go with you.”

I just loved the image that gives. It reminds me of the story in the bible of the woman who was caught committing adultery in John 8. On the verge of getting stoned, Jesus freed her, and she was given a choice: He told her, “go, and sin no more.” (John 8: 3-11).  She was guilty of the sin, but Jesus was also showing the ones who condemned her, that if they were without sin, to cast the first stone. They all dropped their stones, and walked away.

None of us are without sin, and are in need of a Savior, , “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3: 23-24 NIV).  

Justified means to be declared not guilty. It is as though we never sinned. Redemption refers to Jesus setting sinners free from slavery to sin. In the old testament, a person’s debt could result in his being sold as a slave. The next of kin could buy his freedom.

Christ purchased our freedom, and the price was His life.

Don’t you want to go with Him? No longer being a slave to Sin? Acts 3:19 tells us to, “Repent then, and turn to God, so your sins may be wiped out,” (NIV).

Grace and peace to you

Kim