"No Longer"

1st.Peter 4:1-11 " Forasmuch then as CHRIST hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of GOD. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: who shall give account to HIM that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

For for this cause was the Gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to GOD in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath receive the gift, even to minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of GOD. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of GOD; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which GOD giveth: that GOD in all things may be glorified through JESUS CHRIST, to WHOM be praise and dominion for ever and ever, Amen.

     How tragic it is when a person, who claims to be a believer in JESUS CHRIST, continues to live as an unsaved person, showing little if any evidence of a transformed life ! He still fulfills the strong desires of the flesh. He still loves the things of the world. He still lives as if he were a stranger to the grace of GOD. He has little hunger for the WORD of GOD and a meager appetite for the things of CHRIST. Yet GOD's command to the Christian is this: "Let every one that nameth the name of CHRIST depart from iniquity" (2nd.Timothy 2:19 pictured above). The watchword of every saint should be: "No Longer !" 

     Consider these precious passages and apply them to yourself:

1. No longer am I a slave of sin: "Knowing this, that our old man is [was] crucified with HIM, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin" (Romans 6:6).

2. It is no longer the self-life, but it is the CHRIST-life -- HIS life in me: "I am crucified with CHRIST: nevertheless I live; yet not I [literally, it is "no longer I"], but CHRIST liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the SON of GOD, WHO loved me, and gave HIMSELF for me" (Galatians 2:20 pictured above).

3. I no longer live to please myself:  "And that HE died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto HIM which died for them, and rose again" (2nd.Corinthians 5:15).

4. I no longer live the way unsaved people live: "That ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind" (Ephesians 4:17). 

The second verse of today's text sums it up well: "That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of GOD." May our motto daily be: "No longer !" GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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