“I couldn’t help it!” Has someone said that to you? Or have you said it to yourself?
Oh no.
That may feel true, and for unbelievers may partly or mostly be true. They are slaves of sin. (John 8:34)
However, believers were freed from sin and became slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:18)
We now are learning how to live righteously, which results in sanctification.
Growth is a process, but the great good news for believers is that we have been given EVERYTHING we need for life and godliness.
His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. (2 Peter 1:3)
That is both an incredible, awesome gift, and it creates an obligation for us to use His gifts.
As we grow in Him during this life, we increasing know how to appropriate His gifts to us, and we, more and more, reflect Him.
When we sin, we have the opportunity to examine how we didn’t use the resources He gave us.
We are encouraged by His promises and His gifts, by the indwelling Holy Spirit that enables our godly living, and by our protection by the power of God through faith.
Rejoice!
