ROMANS 6:20

“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in relation to righteousness.”

You have surely heard the expression “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” Have you ever stopped to think about what that saying means? It means you can’t enjoy two incompatible things at the same time. You just can’t. This idiom dates back to the 16^th century, but it is still true today. Too many people think you can claim to be a Christian and still live like the world. The two are not compatible.

Paul is continuing to draw the line between sin and righteousness. This verse today is not hard to understand. He is saying when we were obeying our sinful flesh and living immorality, we had no part with righteousness. In fact, we did everything we could to avoid it. 1 Peter 4:3 describes this slavery of sin so well. “For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of indecent behavior, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries.”

APPLICATION

Let’s take a look at our viewing habits. So many things in the media today point us directly at those things described in 1 Peter 4:3. But instead we are to pursue holy things. I don’t mean you have to sit and meditate all day. I am not saying all you can read is the Bible or that you are not allowed to enjoy a good movie. But there are some things we should avoid if we want to pursue a righteous life.

Don’t forget, any righteousness we have as followers of Christ are from Him. Do you want to soil His righteousness. It would be like borrowing someone’s Sunday best and then wallow in a pig pen. Not only would you soil the clothing that you were entrusted, but you would also carry with your stench of those pigs. Believe me, you don’t want that smell on you. Sin stinks. Always has and always will.

So, today choose righteousness. Shun even the appearance of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says that. Even the appearance! That means we can’t have our cake and eat it too. We can’t say we are a child of God and live like the devil’s. We shouldn’t want that. Do you? I sure don’t. I know I fail miserably many days, but I pray my failings are just that – failings. They are not because I pursued something evil. Beloved, join me in chasing after righteousness from above.

O Lord, I know I fall short of Your glory, but I desperately want it. Help me today to pursue it fully.

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