the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Romans 6:12. They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Galatians 5:24. Flee also youthful lusts. 2 Timothy 2:22.
We do not become free from temptations and lusts; but from the reign of the lusts we must be free or become free by faith in Christ. For when Christ reigns in us, sin with its lusts can not reign in us at the same time. If sin is yet lord of the house, Christ is not in us. Yet we must distinguish between temptation and dominion. You may be tempted and enticed to all evil, and yet be free and by the temptation become even more free from all evil. Many good souls think, when they are in Christ, that they should feel no more temptation. But it is as Christians that we have the most to do with temptation, as long as we live in the tabernacle of sin, the flesh. Sin has by conversion to Christ lost its crown and scepter in you. Sin can not abide this with indifference. Who would like to be robbed of his real or imaginary right and rule? Sin, therefore, seeks ever to dislodge Christ and once more seize its old power. It will not cease to do this until it is carried with the body to the grave. Therefore, never be secure. Sin hides itself as the snake in the grass and attacks you suddenly when you least expect it. But if you are in Christ and abide unceasingly in Him, sin may be able to tempt you but not to overcome you. Sin is able only to try your faith, your affection and love to Christ, to strengthen you in the struggle and make you more and more its enemy and opponent.
From all Thy foes, their craft, their sword.
Protect us. Lord; maintain Thy Word;
Mercy Thy Name, that shall endure,
Here let us ever rest secure.
