Some people are under the impression that it is possible to be fully sanctified this side of heaven. Is it really possible to be without sin in our daily lives here on earth?
Perhaps when I am older I could isolate myself from the cares of this world. I could live without sin and temptation and simply commune with Jesus until he returns or I die. In the past, monks and nuns separated themselves from the world in order to live a more perfect life before God.
Experience, common sense, the Scriptures, and Spurgeon tell us that in this life there will always be temptation and sin. There will always be a struggle with the flesh for the christian, even after a lifetime of serving God.
Spurgeon’s imagery in this quote drives home the point! “The great dog of hell will bark at you still.” The christian cannot avoid temptation, even through seclusion. Spurgeon points out that Jesus was tempted in the wilderness while alone.
What can we do? We can pray “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” We can trust God to not let us be tempted above our ability to endure it. (I Corinthians 10:13) If we do fall, we can repent and ask for forgiveness: “forgive us our debts.” (Matthew 6:12)
Dear Lord, Help me to draw closer to you each day, so that when the “great dog of hell” barks, I may resist temptation, and if I do sin that I may find forgiveness through Jesus. Amen.
If you are struggling with sin, and don’t have a relationship with Jesus as your savior, take a moment and pray for his forgiveness and help. Begin reading the Bible. I suggest starting with the gospel of John in the New Testament. Also, ask God to lead you to other christians for fellowship.
I hope you have been blessed by this quote and the accompanying image taken from the Spurgeon Daily Quotes iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
