Sin That Entangles Us

SIN THAT ENTANGLES US

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let is throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. -- Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Last week at our hymnsing we featured the hymns of Charles Wesley. He was an amazing trophy of God's grace. Wrote over 6000 hymns and was not afraid to be bold and proclaim the Word of God. He used the word SIN in his messages, and often times was scolded, cursed at, and even had has life threatened because he was direct in calling sin what it is, and telling people that they were sinners.

We need to be reminded often about sin in our lives and how easily we can become entangled with it. Dr. Henry Blackaby writes this in his devotional, EXPERIENCING GOD -- THE DEVOTIONAL:

Sin is our most persistent, determined, and pernicious enemy. Sin seeks to rob us of every good thing God has designed for us. Paul tells us that sin brings death (Romans 7:11). Yet it is very subtle. Sin creeps into our lives when and where we least expect it. It packages itself so attractively that we are lulled into thinking that it cannot really harm us (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

Sin stealthily and relentlessly entangles our lives. We will never be able to run the race marked out for us as long as we are entrapped in sin. We can free ourselves from sin's bondage only if we recognize it for what it is. If we call sin a "mistake," a "bad habit," or "weakness," we will never escape its grasp.

We must not blame our sins on others. We must not allow pride to convince us it is to humiliating to admit the sin in our lives. Sin can blind us to is presence. It does not always command our attention but rather, it subtly and pervasively robs us of the spiritual power and victory that could be ours. The good news is that there is no extent to which sin can entangle us that God's grace does not abound still more to free us. (Romans 5:20)

Has sin robbed your joy? Has it prevented you from being the best husband, wife, son, daughter, or friend you could be? Is it keeping you from spiritual maturity? If you have become entangled with sin, God can release you immediately, no matter how desperately entangled you may have become!

POWERFUL! BROTHERS: if you are caught up in your sin, stop! Turn around! It's not too late. Don't destroy yourself and everyone around you. Run to HIM! Do it today! -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 8; Leviticus 4-5; Matthew 24:29-51

DIG THIS QUOTE: This is the wonderful thing about Jesus: He sees us not as we ARE but as what we can BECOME. Even more, He is able to change us from what we ARE into what HE sees us as capable as BECOMING. – Dr. Glynn Evans

DETERMINED DIGGING: Level 1-- Psalm 19:14; Level 2 --Psalm 27:1-6

Join is this Thursday evening, February 11th, for our Men's Fellowship Night. Dr. Glen Blossom will be our guest speaker! Call today for your reservations. Come bring a friend. 732-350-1187