THE BELIEVER’S CONDUCT

Christ has saved His people from their sins. The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ has paid for every sin of every one of God’s elect. But if someone thinks that the free forgiveness of sin in the blood of Christ means that the conduct of a believer is not important, Christ has not saved that person.

A believer is to fight against the sin that is in us with all of our might. A child of God should never just give in to sin. This however is a losing battle. No believer wants to commit sin, but in this flesh sin is all we are capable of doing. Then what is the answer? Look to Christ. You looked to Christ to find salvation. Now keep looking to Christ for salvation and the forgiveness of your sin. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (I John 2:1-2).

A believer’s conduct before men is certainly important, but never fall into the trap of looking to your conduct for sanctification. Always and only look to Christ who is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2).

Do you know why God sent His Son into the world to save sinners (I Tim. 1:15)? It is because sinners are the only people who need saving. If you are a sinner come to Christ for Christ is the Savior of sinners.

HOPE THOU IN GOD!

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” (Ps 42:5)

Have you often asked your soul these same questions, believer? Are you often cast down, restless and troubled by the world, indwelling sin, and the trials of this life? Here is the answer – “Hope thou in God.” There is no hope found in ourselves or in this cursed world. Confidence can only be placed securely in God who changes not. Hope in God’s word, in His faithful and sure promises in Christ. Trust Him for His grace and wait on the Lord to deliver you. Recall to mind the mercies of the Lord, for they are new every morning. As poor sinners, every day we need new mercies, and every day the Lord faithfully supplies them! (Lam. 3:21-26) “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.”! David understood, by sweet experience, that the Lord would help by the light of His countenance. David learned to wait on the Lord, to hope in His word, because the Lord is always faithful to His promises. He said confidently to his soul, “Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” God teach each of us to hope with confident expectation in Him, especially when our souls are troubled and cast down because of sin. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Tim. 1:15)”!