By: Pastor/Teacher James R. Paxton
Sin can be so powerful that it can place and keep a person in total bondage. Satan will use that power to keep that person under his control. It may be manifested through drugs, greed, hate, alcohol, sex or any number of other means. It becomes so strong that it can drive a person to kill even people he loves to get what he wants. Increasingly, we see it in the news more and more. Things done by a human being that even an animal would shun. It is the work of the devil. Through lies, deception, physical, emotional or mental appetites the devil does his work of evil.
However, I have good news. The power of the love of God is strong enough to break any bondage of sin that a person has. The love of God doesn’t just appease the appetite but goes to the very root of the desire and cleanses it away. It is a spiritual thing and only God can accomplish that. Will power will not suffice. It may seem to help for a while but the root must be killed or it will resurface at some point.
God’s love for you is greater than anything else on this planet. He loved you so much He sent His beloved son, Jesus, to the cross to die for you. Your sin has been paid for, but in order to receive the benefits thereof, you must accept Jesus into your heart. How does that happen? First, you must know and believe that Jesus died for you at Calvary’s cross and rose again from the dead on the third day. Then, you must admit you’re a sinner and ask Him to forgive you and come into your heart. At that moment something begins to happen in your spirit. The blood of Jesus cleanses you of all sin and you are born again, a new creature. At that point Satan has no more power over you. He will still try to control you through fear, weakness, intimidation and lies. Although you may not feel or see the change in a moment’s time, as you believe God and begin to live according to His Word, He will deliver you from Satan’s grasp and He will replace the dread and drive of sinful appetites with peace and joy.
The love of God will change your attitude, outlook, hunger, thirst and even your will. God will not force Himself on you but He offers the blessings of His beloved Son to you. That is not just a one day-thing but for all eternity. That’s how much God loves you. No matter how bad a person may have been and what awful life they may have led, God’s love is greater.
Read about the Apostle Paul. He was going about getting Christians killed, and when he met Jesus he was changed from one extreme to another. God is no respecter of persons. It is not a question of whether He loves you or not but whether you will turn to Him and believe what He has done for you or not.
John 3:16-17 says: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Maranatha!
