REMAIN DEAD TO SIN

"If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work" 2 Timothy 2:21.

Now, Christian, put the gains of worldly men on the weighing scales with what is promised you if you deny yourself for Christ's sake and ask yourself how embarrassing it is to see them so freely give up comfort for an uncertain, temporary goal. All the while, you reluctantly forsake a few short-term pleasures, which God will repay more than a thousand fold here-- and inconceivable riches besides, whenever you come into heaven's glory!

Leave worldly lusts behind. It is the sap in the wood, which makes it hard to burn, and unmortified corruption in the saint, which makes him slow to suffer. But a heart drained free of the lusts of the world will endure anything for Christ; it kindles as fast as dried wood. Paul points us toward Christians who were "tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection" Hebrews 11:35.They did not love the world so much that they wanted to turn back from their journey to heaven-- however hard it had become. So be careful not to leave any unmortified lust in your soul; it will never consent for you to endure the smallest suffering for your Savior.

Very few ships sink at sea; they are split by rocks and shallow places in the water. The man who can get off the jagged rocks of pride and unbelief and escape the sands of fear of men and love of the world will pass safely through the greatest storm that overtakes him. "If a man therefore purge himself form these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work" 2 Timothy 2:21. If only we could know the heaven in a soul, which has, been crucified to the lusts of the world!”

A man dead to sin lives above all disturbances of carnal passions. And when he comes to communion with God there are no intrusions of rude, sinful thoughts between him and the Father.”

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617