Daily Devotional for Sunday July 29, 2012

Do You Run from Sin or Run to Sin

(Genesis 39:12; 1 Peter 2:11)

***ASK BILL: PASTOR BILL, CAN YOU GIVE ME ANY IDEA OF THE MEANING OF ZECH. 11:17/

ANSWER: Sadly, this is the description of the majority of pastors today. It talks about their worship of idols and forsaking their flocks. The Bible says those who are called to lead His sheep will receive a double judgment. It is a stark contrast to John 10, and the description of the Good Shepherd. Is it any wonder why the sheep are weak, ineffective, and sitting targets for satan's schemes when the shepherds don't do their job?

This may seem like an easy question, but think carefully before you answer. Do you run away from sin, or do you run TO sin? If you answer honestly, you will have to admit that there have been times in your life when you were guilty of running towards sin, or at least NOT running away when you saw sin coming.

I have spoke in past Devotionals about the path of escape that God not only always provides, but promises! There is that instant, when your spiritual instincts are telling you exactly what to do. That my friend becomes YOUR moment of truth. Will you obey God and run away from sin? Or, do you ignore God and run to it, like the moth goes directly for the fire!

In today's scripture, Joseph saw sin coming. Realizing his own human weakness, he literally ran from it. THERE IS NOTHING COWARDLY ABOUT RUNNING FROM SIN! Let me say this again. THERE IS NOTHING COWARDLY ABOUT RUNNING FROM SIN!

As a matter of fact, it is an act of weakness and rebellion to God to NOT run from sin. It is like saying, "OK sin, here I am, powerless to stand up to you -- just run me over." Anyone can do that. It takes spiritual maturity to see sin coming and flee from it. The Bible even tells us to "flee from sin." It is an admonition that we need to take more seriously.

The question becomes, why don't we run from sin? There are two answers to this. It is because we either, a) don't trust our spiritual instincts enough to "see" sin coming, or, b) we simply love the sin more than the Lord at that moment. That may sound harsh, but it is very true. Jesus told His disciples that if they loved Him, they would obey His commandments. As His disciples, we ultimately get the opportunity to show our love for Him often. It is usually in those cases when we have the opportunity to run from sin, or stay and indulge in it.

Remember the next time that you want to tell Jesus you love Him. Show Him by following His commandments. Show Him by RUNNING FROM SIN!

I love you and care about you very much. I realize that many of you are in difficult situations today because you have succumbed to sin's temptations, you stayed instead of running. Running is hard. It actually requires a supernatural strength that we only possess through Christ.

Again, that is why that intimate daily relationship with Him is so critical to our daily walk. It not only strengthens us, but sharpens our spiritual instincts so we can see sin coming and run from it. I will be praying for you to really let these words today sink in.

For many, these are very difficult words, but necessary. They are said in love, to help you avoid falling into the traps the enemy sets for you. Let me leave you with this encouragement. God BLESSES obedience. Not only is it our most effective way of proving our love for the Lord, but a side benefit is God blesses our obedience.

I am convinced that Joseph reaped the blessings of God for His obedience. What God did for Joseph, He will do for you. He gave Joseph the spiritual instincts to see sin coming, the strength to run from sin, and than blessed him for his obedience! Remember that the next time you see sin coming . . . and RUN!!!

In His love and service, Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller