Romans 16:25-27 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

I would like to first address this well-kept secret. It was so well-kept that many today still reject the truth. Considering God’s consuming righteousness destroys sin before it can touch Him, it was widely thought that there was no way the God could or would abide in man. Much of this held a historical aspect in how God dealt with sinful man. More than anything else it was an observation. They had never seen a sinless man, so they had nothing to hope for in dealing with their sin nature. Then Jesus was born and they witnessed a sinless man and the way He dealt with sin.

Philippians 2:7-8 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

He spent countless nights seeking to know His Father’s will.

Matthew 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

You cannot be obedient to faith, if you do not seek His will by faith, prayer, and communion.

Romans 5:21  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Earlier I spoke of how the Holy Spirit saves us from the pleasure of sin. If you have accepted Jesus into your broken heart to be transformed, then this second P is in effect. You have been saved from the penalty of sin, your place in eternity is secured. You will not be touched by the second death.

Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Today we will speak to the third P in relationship to sin. You have been saved from the power of sin over your life. Before you were born again and the Spirit of Truth given, you had no help from God in resisting sin. You were on your own and powerless. Now, having the power of God in the form of the abiding Holy Spirit, you have God’s help, truth, to combat the lies, to see truth, and to resist sin and Satan.

2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Once again, this Word, take heed, to heed the truth, was shown to us by Jesus in how to overcome temptation and resist the devil and his lies. The Holy Spirit will reveal truth, we must recognize this comes from God, then we must accept it as true, and finally once again we must choose. This same formula occurs over and over again in this new life in Christ. The right choice has a particular name which replaces obeying the law, religious ritual, and self-rule. It is called obedience of faith.