Set Free from Sin!

God lives and works today. He is the mighty God who can transform hearts and entire lives. These aren't just nice sounding words that don't really mean anything.

Each one of us can actually be changed, so transformed that the difference is noticeable. How? Listen to today's meditation called Set Free from Sin. Mother Materia, who together with Mother Basilea founded and leads our sisterhood, doesn't love any one sister more than another.

And yet, if you were to ask, who are your favorite daughters? She would most certainly answer, the ones who have the most trouble with their sins. Mother Materia's monthly talk with us have the habit of opening up our hearts and letting repentance flow again. Once, in our morning Bible study, Mother Materia told us, you know, every time we're sad, sulky, or tired of living, our sin is behind it.

That's why the prophet Jeremiah says in chapter 2, verse 17, Is it not your desertion of the Lord your God that brings all this upon you? If we want to be freed from sin in the deepest sense, and ask Jesus for this, we will find out how Jesus intervenes in our lives and brings out the infection of our sin, no matter how well it may have been concealed. Then we have to make a second decision. Do I want to be set free from my sin only if it's a quick, painless process? Or, am I prepared to accept every humiliation, every correction, every step, and every clean break, no matter how hard it may be for me? Am I prepared to confess everything, go the whole way back, because I know, I need this, nothing else can help me.

The sacrifice of Jesus certainly avails for us. Nothing more can be added to it. But, it does not come into force automatically after our conversion.

Rather, when Jesus works his redemption in us, it is a painful process. This poses the question for us. Am I willing to let the work of redemption take place in me, no matter what it costs, by faith? This morning Bible study was only one among many which helped us in such a decisive way.

In addition, Mother Materia wrote a little booklet called, The Shield of Faith, in which is written, Do not be afraid of a long battle against sin, for only a long struggle will make you broken and humble. And this is the way Jesus wants you to be. Yes, it is our constant patience and faith which will decide the struggle against sin, not our individual victories or defeats.

When the Lord sees our longing and hears our cry for freedom from the slavery of our ego, his mercy is so great that he will grant us what we ask. Yes, it is our constant patience and faith which will decide the struggle against sin, not our individual victories or defeats. So strive in faith that you will win, for Christ can conquer every sin.

Christ's help means always victory. He stretches out his strong right hand. Our foes before him cannot stand, and they are all defeated.

Alleluia! Alleluia! You have been listening to a program written by Basilea Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan. To learn more about how God lives and works today, visit us at our website, www.canaan.org. That's K-A-N-A-A-N dot org. If you contact us, we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet.

If you do not have access to the web, please contact this radio station for our postal address. God bless you.