Sexual Sin

Daily Reading: John 16

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment. (John 16.8)

Devotional Thought:  Jesus taught his disciples that one of the works of the Spirit was conviction.  There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of that going around does there?  Sin is something that we have explained away, and so we have covered over our consciences until it is almost as if there is no sin left.  It is of sin that the Holy Spirit convicts us, so without an awareness of sin, we no longer feel the pangs of conviction.  But sin is still sin!  And, we still need the Holy Spirit to do his work! 

For 30 years, our country has been marching down the path that condones homosexual behavior, pre-marital sex, co-habitation before marriage, no-fault divorce and remarriage, pornography, state-fathered households.  We have not yet arrived at the bottom, but our culture has pretty much adopted an "anything goes" attitude toward sex.

But what about God? What is his attitude?  After all, it doesn’t matter what the supreme court or the personal opinions of politicians or even the church says about it.  God has long ago cast his vote against sexual immorality.

Speaking of the church, Jesus said the Spirit would convict the world in regard to sin, but more and more, we are finding that the church is in need of conviction in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment!  We are to be salt and light in the world, slowing the world’s progress toward evil.  Instead, we seem to be pushing the moral absolutes further and further in the direction of the world and away from the Word!  May the Spirit convict the world and the church in regard to the sexual sin of our day, saving us from loss!

Prayer: Father, your Word is clear concerning sexual purity.  History also teaches us its importance.  Deliver us, Lord, from our casual, anything goes attitude and convict us of our sin.  Save us, O Lord!

Psalm of the Day: 37.25-33

25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.

26 He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.

27 Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever.

28 For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

29 The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.

30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.

31 The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.

32 The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death.

33 The LORD will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.