Beloved, There’s grace to live above sin. God will never ask us to do anything He hasn’t given us the ability to do. The power to live above sin has been purchased by Jesus on the cross. It is time we repent and put on the New man. True repentance goes beyond confession, it is a total turnaround from the old way of life which is corrupt, and it must be backed up with commitment to a new way of living. (See Ephesians 4:21-24)
The scripture in Galatians 5:19-21, Eph. 5:5-8; and 1 Cor. 6:8-11. lists 24 vices that defile men, and thus can hinder a person from making it to heaven:
Adultery – a married person having sexual relationship with someone other than one’s spouse.
Fornication – sexual activity between persons who are not legally married.
Uncleanness – activities that pollute the soul e.g. pornography, masturbation etc
Lasciviousness – lustful desires and imaginations
Idolatry – indulging in activities that put God in second place. it could be your career, relationships, personal visions etc
Witchcraft – occult practices, horoscopes, sorcery etc
Variance – incessant disagreement, argumentative, stubbornness, especially,unnecessary activism
Emulations – imitating or copying the world lifestyle
Wrath – intense anger that leads to destructive actions
Strife – quarrelsome, never in harmony.
Serditions – any action or words that incite rebellion and division.
Envy – feeling unhappy over the good of another
Murder – shedding innocent blood eg abortion.
Revelries – excessive indulgence in making merry eg partying, clubbing etc
Whoremongery - trading sex for money or promotion. Eg prostitution.
Greed – excessive desire to acquire more than a person needs or deserves. compromising God’s values for profit.
Filthiness – engaging in things that are offensive to morality
Defrauding - cheating, duping, 419, scam etc
Effeminate – a man exhibiting unsuitable feminine characteristics
Homosexuality – sexual attraction to persons of the same sex
Theft- taking what is not rightfully yours (including Gods Tithe) either with a gun or pen
Drunkenness- taking alcohol in excess
Extortioners – unjust exaction by the misuse of authority
Men stealers - kidnapping, abduction etc
"Finally, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." (2 Peter 3:8-14)
HOW CAN WE LIVE HOLY
A. Having DAILY fellowship with the Holy Spirit
B. Abiding in the Word of God
C. Fleeing from every appearance of evil. (eg.) relationships that could lead to sin.
D. Listening to messages that will build your faith and establish you in righteousness.
E. Not forsaking the assembly of Gods people. Regularly attending fellowship
F. Avoid associating with people of ungodly character.
G. Esteeming spiritual things highly
H. And HAVING ETERNITY IN PERSPECTIVE.
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you and sustain you always. Amen.
