CAUSES OF DELAY (CONT'D) LESSONS FROM SECOND ARTICLE

 5) Sin

Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalteth a nation: But sin is a reproach to any people.  Sin is a major cause of delay. Some people experience delay, not because God wants it but, because they have sinned. Moses and the children of Israel experienced delay in the wilderness, because of the sin of disobedience. Num. 14:34 "After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise." Joshua 5:6 "For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey." 

Disobedience is sin and it can lead to delay in the fulfilment of God's promises. There are different types of sin. Gal. 5:19-21 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Revelation 21:8 "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

There is no small sin nor big sin. Every sin is sin. But, as children of God, we should not be found sinning. Sin can cause delay and might result in God not hearing us. Isaiah 59:1-2 "Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." God loves us, but he hates sin. Now, as a believer in Christ, you should not deliberately sin. 1 John 2:1-2 " My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

1 John 3:4 AMP "Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness [ignoring God’s law by action or neglect or by tolerating wrongdoing—being unrestrained by His commands and His will]." 

Jesus Christ came to take the nature of sin out of anyone who believes in him. John 1:29 "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

1 John 3:6 AMP "No one who abides in Him [who remains united in fellowship with Him—deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin. No one who habitually sins has seen Him or known Him." There are ways to overcome sinful habits. Note: there must firstly be an understanding that Jesus Christ came to save us from the sinful nature. You need to understand that Jesus Christ has saved you from the sinful nature. You are now in the Spirit. You should not walk according to the dictates of the flesh. Romans 8:8-9 "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." You need to know that you are no longer a condemned sinner but a child of God, a heir of God and joint-heirs with Christ, if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Romans 8:1-3, 16-17.

 But, if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour, you need to do so. It's very important because Scripture records that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" - Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23 says "the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord." 

Romans 8:1 AMP "Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]."  John 3:36 "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." There is need for you to believe to escape the wrath to come and judgement and most especially, to have the life of God (eternal life). I pray that your eyes will be opened and you will understand and be saved in Jesus name. If you want to accept Jesus Christ, say this short prayer. God, I thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour. I ask for the forgiveness of all my sins. Thank you Father. In Jesus Christ name I've prayed. Amen. You're welcome to the body of Christ. Jesus loves you.  Read Romans 8:1 above and meditate on it. Let the Holy Spirit lead you on further steps to take.

Now, if you have accepted Jesus Christ, the only way to live a victorious life in Christ is to walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5: 17-18.  So, be serious Spiritually. Know whom you have believed. Be diligent. Study your Bible, pray, meditate, attend services in Church and grow Spiritually. 

Now, sin is a major cause of delay. If you want a major breakthrough, stop sinning (gratifying the deeds of the flesh). Live the abundant Life, victorious life in Christ. Romans 8:12‭-‬14 AMP "So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but not to our flesh [our human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity], to live according to the [impulses of the] flesh [our nature without the Holy Spirit]— for if you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But if [you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever . For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." I pray God will continue to help us to live for him in Jesus name.

Repent. 2 Chronicles 7:14. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 

Repentance leads to restoration and the Lord will restore all you have lost in Jesus name. I love you. Shalom.

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