Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8
This evening, I continued with my listening/reading of a Christmas/Advent devotional from John Piper. Today's entry focuses on what Piper refers to and encourages - Christmas solidarity. Satan seeks to separate from God as many as possible, he seeks to mock God and defeat Him, but believers know that God ultimately wins this battle and defeats sin and Satan. Piper seeks for those who are not believers to join believers in solidarity to say that I too seek to defeat sin and Satan - I no longer want to be a slave to sin, I want to be a slave to God. I want to become more like God. That is certainly how I feel and I know that God has molded me into more of His image. Clearly there is work to do but I have seen how God has molded me and I am grateful for His sanctifying work. I urge others to join this Christmas solidarity. Piper not only uses 1 John 3:8 but also 1 Timothy 1:15 to encourage us to see how God came to defeat Satan and sin:
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners[.] 1 Timothy 1:15
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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who defeated sin and Satan for me - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such a God. My sin continues Lord Jesus! Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from such sin. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savor. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
