Sins Of The Flesh - The Temptress

1 John 3: 4-6 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that He might take away our sins. And in Him is no sin. No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him.

To continue on with my story of the older North Americans and their young escorts, there is a second side to this story to look at. While the behavior of the men in the story is without any doubt sinful, and no excuse can be made for that behavior. It is what it is. And the second part is the behavior of the young ladies. Some will say they are just trying to make a living. In some parts of the world, prostitution is a legal profession. But that would be applying a standard created by man against something God has already declared to be sinful. Prostitution is just one of many sins man has sought to justify or soften the nature of. There is one standard by which we are judged, and that is not a man-made standard. Rather, it is God's own standard. It has no allowance for interpretation. He sets it, and He judges against it. It is not something we vote to pass. Nor is it something we can alter. His standard of measure is perfection, absolute and unfailing. None of us can live up to that standard. And if we think merely living by man's standard of measure is good enough, then be prepared for a surprise. Fortunately there is one who lived a perfect life and then sacrificed that life so that all mankind could be saved. Jesus Christ is that perfect one. He alone could bear the sin of all. And he willingly took that burden on. It is our faith in Jesus Christ that saves us. He appeared that he might take away our sins. For in him there is no sin. No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him. 

And for the prostitutes in the story, what avenue for the future is there to follow? There is the option to just walk away. It may be difficult, but in making a change there has to be a first step. I know this may be over simplifying things, but my role is to look at the spiritual side. Visiting a Pastor or Priest is an obvious next step. Receiving professional spiritual guidance and support is an imperative, not an option. And just for the general knowledge of all who are lost in sin, know that all believers are praying for all the lost sheep to be brought back to the Good Shepherd that is Jesus.

Do you have a sin issue in your life that needs to be changed? If so, please stop. Pray for help and forgiveness. Help is out there and forgiveness was already won on the cross by Christ. Accept the gift of forgiveness and move forward by ending the sin.

PRAYER: Lord we who are broken pray for ourselves and for all sinners. Our wretched condition is without excuse. We need Your help and forgiveness. Change our hearts, and the hearts of all sinners. Guide us in Your path, and guide the path of all sinners to righteousness that is found in Your Son Jesus. Help all who are lost in sin to return to the Good Shepherd. We ask this in the name of Jesus who with the Father and the Spirit are one God now and forever, Amen.