"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.  But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.  Which one of you convicts me of sin?  If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?  Whoever is of God hears the words of God.  The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God" (John 8:44-47).

Jesus called the Devil, ". . . the father of lies" (John 8:44).  I don't know about you but this is not something I would like posted on my resume.  Do you know people who lie?  How does it make you feel?  How comfortable are you with those people?  My question to you is, if the Devil is the father of lies, what does that make those who lie as a lifestyle? 

Children of lies only do what their father teaches.  Jesus is teaching that those who don't follow Him have to follow someone.  Jesus wants people to understand that if they don't follow Christ then they absolutely follow the Devil.

My question to you is, who is your father?

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
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"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.  But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:1-2).

At this time in history, when the apostle John wrote these words, Christians had truly been influenced by false and heretical teachings.  Some believed that Jesus did not exist in fleshly form.  From this incorrect presupposition many people were led astray and even believed that they could not sin regardless of their lifestyle.  Well, this false teaching had to be contended with. 

Jesus is the saviour from our sins.  Yet at the same time He is, also, our attorney before God.  Those who do not deny Him, through their understandings and actions, will be blessed by His skills as a defense attorney.  Those who follow false teachings about Jesus will not be able to have Him as their attorney.  This would be unfortunate.  Remember, we must have true and obedient faith in Jesus Christ.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
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"My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins" (James. 5:19-20).

Baptism into Christ is necessary for salvation.  There is no doubt to this reality.  However, faith in Christ doesn't stop someone from leaving Christ for a worldly lifestyle or worldy passions. 

A lifestyle in Christ is just like it sounds - a lifestyle.  It takes determination, passion, and a lifelong committment.  Fortunately, God knows that all Christians still suffer from sinning (cf. 1 John 2:1-6).  Yet, others will wander completely from the truth.  Scripture doesn't teach that these people have to be baptized into Christ again but it does teach that they need to repent of the incorrect lifestyle that they are living and become truly committed to the teachings of Christ again.  [Note, Simon the Sorcerer Acts 8:9-25].  Simon was expected to repent and pray.  James teaches that someone needs to come back from their wanderings.

Are you baptized into Christ and committed to Him.  If not humble yourself before God and come back from your wanderings.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
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"What shall we say then?  Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?  By no means!  How can we who died to sin still live in it?  Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his" (Romans 6:1-5).

If Jesus didn't die for our sins it would then be impossible for us to die to our sins.  So, where do you want to be in relation to sin?  Do you want to die in sin where there is no hope, no forgiveness, and no safety?  Or, do you want to die to sin where believers are promised forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and a relationship with God, by faith, through Christ's blood.  You can die to sin because Jesus died for our sinsand God recognizes that sacrifice.

Please, check out the complete article on SIN and have peace in Christ.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
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