Dr. Lawrence Butler, The Bridge Church, Pembroke
We are still examining the regenerated life that comes by being “born again” as Jesus explained to the Jewish ruler in John 3:3. As stated in a previous lesson, a regenerated life is one which has had an impartation of divine life into the soul. The result is the passing away of the old sinful nature within human beings that controlled our passions, forcing us to become what we never intended to be.
This divine impartation provides the strength, desire and grace to leave the old lifestyle behind and live in newness of life.
The Apostle Paul gave us in Galatians 5 a list of destructive sins which has infected humans.
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21). These actions may seem to exclude many of your friends or family members from obtaining eternal life. However, I did not make the list, I just found it in the Bible. Do with it what you will. Maybe your church teaches these things are wrong, or maybe they are just ignored. Please remember, we will face our Heavenly Father with our lives to give account for our deeds. Paul gave powerful advice in another scripture that I want to share with you now.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2).
Do you need a transformation in your life? There is One who can perform such a task. Not only can these sins be forgiven, the desire to partake of them will be removed from your heart. Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ will release you from the power of sinful desires, allowing you to become something better, something of which you and your family will be proud.