Accept No Imitation

Sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. (Rom 6:14)

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. (1John 3:4)

The commandment said, "Love your neighbor." Sin, taking advantage of the law, says, "Who is my neighbor?". But the grace of God in Christ is not side-tracked in debate, or hindered by anyone's self justification. "I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven." (see Mat 5:44-45) Jesus calls you and me to an obedience that is impossible in ourselves, and offensive to our fallen sense of justice which has no mercy.

We are under grace. But grace can (and often should) trouble us more than written law. God brings us to the perfect standard of love in Christ where sin cannot hide, and our only hope is to believe in Jesus, to rely on him, and to obey his Spirit.

This grace is costly- Jesus paid for us with his life. You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. (see 1Cor 6:19-20) It requires that we reject our own agenda- that we surrender our very life... "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Mat 16:25-26)

It is grace because Jesus is the one who calls us, and we are his, to follow him. "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Mat 11:29)

Lord Jesus, thank you for grace that you paid for with your life, your free gift to me that takes my life to give me yours. Free me from the imitation that does not follow you. Lead me in times of trouble, and help me to share in your suffering by your grace with love and forgiveness. I have so far to go. Teach me the joy of your salvation, to deny myself, and to follow you.

A very great and precious promise

Now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 6:22-23)

You have God's Word on it.