“As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.”
Proverbs 26:11
One of the great benefits we receive from Christ is freedom (see Galatians 5:1). But freedom from what? The Bible is clear about who we are before we come to know Christ. We are slaves to sin. That is, sin owns us, and we do its bidding. Sin is in our nature, which means that ultimately we are not sinners because we sin. Rather, we sin because we are sinners. In the words of this proverb, we are simply doing what is in our nature, despite how disgusting it may seem. In the same way it is stomach-turning to watch a dog return to its vomit, so it is heart-wrenching to watch a loved one return to sin.
But Christ has set us free from our sinful nature. We are new creations in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). We are not doomed to repeat the same errors again and again. Yes, our old nature will cling to us until we go to be with the Lord. But its enslaving claim on our lives is a thing of the past for those who truly belong to Jesus.
Know that you are free to live a life of righteousness, a life pleasing to the Lord who has set you free.
But Christ has set us free from our sinful nature. We are new creations in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). We are not doomed to repeat the same errors again and again. Yes, our old nature will cling to us until we go to be with the Lord. But its enslaving claim on our lives is a thing of the past for those who truly belong to Jesus.
Know that you are free to live a life of righteousness, a life pleasing to the Lord who has set you free.
Scripture Focus
2 Peter 2
Insight
Give God thanks for the freedom you now enjoy in Christ.
Bible In A Year
- Jeremiah 31-32
- Psalm 119:1-64
- 1 Corinthians 11
