RESPECTING THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS THROUGH A LIFE OF OBEDIENCE By: Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” — Romans 6:1–2 (KJV)
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Introduction
The salvation that mankind has received through Jesus Christ is the greatest manifestation of the mercy, grace, and everlasting love of God. Humanity was separated from God because of sin and was incapable of restoring itself back into divine fellowship. Through Adam’s disobedience, sin entered into the world, and death passed upon all men. Yet God, in His eternal mercy, provided redemption through His Son Jesus Christ, who became the spotless Lamb sacrificed for the sins of the world.
Salvation is not merely a religious confession, emotional experience, or church membership. Salvation is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit whereby the eyes of sinful men are opened to recognize their sinful condition and their desperate need for forgiveness through Jesus Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts mankind of sin, righteousness, and judgment, leading repentant hearts toward the saving grace of God.
Jesus Christ suffered rejection, mockery, persecution, agony, crucifixion, and death so that mankind might receive eternal life. Through His precious blood, believers are cleansed, redeemed, justified, and reconciled unto God. Therefore, salvation must never be treated lightly or casually. It is a sacred covenant established through the sacrifice of the Son of God.
The tragedy of many professing believers today is that after receiving mercy and truth, they return to sinful bondage because they continue to love darkness more than light. Such individuals dishonor the sacrifice of Jesus Christ by choosing the pleasures of sin over obedience to God. They become unstable souls who walk according to the lusts of the flesh rather than the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
This lesson reveals the seriousness of salvation, the danger of hypocrisy, the necessity of holiness, the exposure of sin through truth, and God’s call for believers to walk faithfully in obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit. God desires His people to honor the sacrifice of Jesus Christ not only with their lips, but through transformed lives that reflect righteousness, purity, humility, and truth.
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SALVATION IS THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” — John 6:44 (KJV)
“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” — John 16:8 (KJV)
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Humanity in its fallen condition does not naturally seek after God. The sinful nature resists righteousness and prefers darkness rather than light. Because of this spiritual blindness, it is impossible for anyone to come into true salvation without the convicting work of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit opens the eyes of sinners to recognize their guilt before God and their desperate need for redemption through Jesus Christ. Conviction produces repentance, and repentance leads men to surrender themselves unto God. Salvation therefore begins with divine mercy and not human effort.
Believers must understand that salvation came at a great cost. Jesus Christ endured the cross to redeem mankind from eternal destruction. Every lash upon His body, every insult He endured, and every drop of blood He shed reveals the seriousness of sin and the greatness of God’s love.
To treat salvation lightly is to dishonor the sacrifice of Christ. Those who truly appreciate redemption will pursue holiness, obedience, and reverence toward God. Genuine salvation produces transformation of character, desires, speech, motives, and conduct.
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THE DANGER OF RETURNING TO SIN
“But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” — 2 Peter 2:22 (KJV)
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.” — 2 Peter 2:20 (KJV)
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One of the greatest tragedies in the Christian life is for a person to receive mercy and then return again to sinful bondage. Such behavior demonstrates a lack of gratitude and reverence toward the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Sin is not freedom; sin is slavery. It binds the soul, corrupts the mind, destroys spiritual sensitivity, and separates people from fellowship with God. Before salvation, humanity existed under the dominion of darkness and the control of sinful desires. However, through Jesus Christ, believers are delivered from the power of sin and transferred into the kingdom of God.
When individuals return to sinful practices after receiving truth, they reveal instability and compromise within their hearts. Instead of yielding themselves unto the Holy Spirit, they choose to satisfy fleshly lusts and worldly desires. Such people gradually become hardened in heart and resistant to divine correction.
God does not call His people into destruction. He calls them into eternal life, peace, holiness, purity, and fellowship with Him. Those who continue looking unto Jesus Christ will grow stronger spiritually and lose their desire for sinful pleasures.
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LOOKING UNTO JESUS AS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame.” — Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” — John 6:38 (KJV)
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Jesus Christ is the perfect example of obedience, holiness, humility, and surrender unto God. He did not seek His own will but submitted Himself completely to the direction of the Father. He conquered the world, the flesh, and the devil through unwavering obedience and righteousness.
Believers are called to follow His example. Christianity is not merely about religious activity or verbal confession; it is about becoming conformed into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. The more believers walk closely with Him, the more they will hate sin and love righteousness.
Jesus lived spotless and undefiled before the Father. Though tempted in all points, He remained without sin. His life demonstrated complete surrender to divine purpose. Therefore, believers who truly love God must likewise pursue obedience through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
As believers keep their eyes fixed upon Jesus, sinful desires lose their attraction and power. Fellowship with Christ strengthens the soul and produces spiritual victory over temptation.
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THE SIN OF HYPOCRISY
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” — Matthew 15:8 (KJV)
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” — Galatians 6:7 (KJV)
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God strongly condemns hypocrisy. Hypocrisy occurs when people outwardly claim devotion to God while inwardly living in rebellion, deception, selfishness, and hidden sin. Such individuals attempt to appear righteous before men while secretly practicing darkness.
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus openly rebuked hypocritical religious leaders. Though they taught the law publicly, they themselves refused to obey it. Their outward religion concealed inward corruption, pride, and wickedness.
These leaders hated Jesus because His holiness exposed their sinful condition. Instead of repenting, they sought to silence and destroy Him. Their hearts were hardened through pride, self-righteousness, and love for worldly recognition.
Even today, many profess to love Christ while living double lives. Some secretly practice immorality, dishonesty, hatred, greed, or rebellion while pretending to serve God publicly. Yet no one can deceive God.
God sees every hidden motive, secret thought, and concealed action. Men may successfully deceive other people, but nothing is hidden from the eyes of the Almighty. Those who continue in hypocrisy deceive themselves and place themselves in spiritual danger.
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TRUTH EXPOSES SIN AND DARKNESS
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” — John 8:32 (KJV)
“For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” — John 3:20 (KJV)
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Truth possesses the power to expose deception, lies, hypocrisy, and sin. This is why those who love darkness resist truth. The light of God reveals hidden corruption and brings conviction to the heart.
The Holy Spirit was given to guide believers into all truth. As believers yield themselves unto the Holy Spirit, they become increasingly sensitive to righteousness and increasingly resistant toward sin. Truth purifies the soul and protects believers from deception.
A believer who walks in truth cannot comfortably continue in sinful compromise. The Spirit of God continually convicts, corrects, and directs such a person toward holiness. Truth not only exposes darkness but also empowers believers to walk in freedom and spiritual victory.
In contrast, those who reject truth become spiritually hardened. They choose lies because lies permit them to continue in sinful lifestyles without repentance. However, every lie shall ultimately be exposed before God.
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SEPARATION FROM WORKERS OF INIQUITY
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” — Ephesians 5:11 (KJV)
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners.” — Psalm 1:1 (KJV)
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God commands believers to separate themselves from the corrupting influences of habitual workers of iniquity. This does not mean believers should hate sinners, but rather that they must avoid participating in sinful behavior or becoming spiritually contaminated through compromise.
Associations greatly influence spiritual condition. Continuous fellowship with rebellious and deceptive individuals can weaken convictions, corrupt morals, and damage spiritual sensitivity. Therefore, believers must exercise wisdom concerning relationships, environments, teachings, and influences.
The church is called to reflect the holiness and purity of God. Christians are meant to shine as lights in a dark world rather than become participants in darkness. God desires His people to remain spiritually pure, faithful, and devoted unto Him.
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OBEDIENCE IS THE EVIDENCE OF TRUE LOVE
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15 (KJV)
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” — James 1:22 (KJV)
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True love for God is demonstrated through obedience. Many people speak passionately about loving God while their lifestyles contradict His Word. Genuine devotion is proven through holiness, integrity, humility, righteousness, and submission unto God.
Obedience protects believers from self-deception. A person may possess religious language, attend church faithfully, and appear spiritual outwardly while remaining inwardly rebellious. However, obedience reveals authentic transformation of heart.
Those who walk in obedience experience the peace, guidance, wisdom, and fellowship of the Holy Spirit. God directs and strengthens those who sincerely submit themselves unto Him.
The Christian life is therefore not built merely upon emotions or religious rituals, but upon continual surrender and faithful obedience to God’s truth.
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Summary
Salvation is a sacred gift provided through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and revealed to humanity by the Holy Spirit. Believers are called to honor this sacrifice by walking in holiness, truth, obedience, and reverence toward God.
Returning to sinful bondage after receiving truth dishonors Christ and leads toward spiritual destruction. Hypocrisy, hidden sin, and rebellion against truth cannot stand before God because He sees the hearts and actions of all people.
Jesus Christ remains the perfect example of obedience and righteousness. Believers must therefore keep their eyes fixed upon Him, separate themselves from darkness, walk in truth, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide them continually.
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Conclusion
God is calling His people into sincerity, holiness, and unwavering faithfulness. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is too precious to be dishonored through compromise and hypocrisy. Believers must recognize that salvation was purchased through the blood of the Son of God and therefore demands reverence and obedience.
The world is increasingly filled with deception, rebellion, and love for darkness. Yet God continues to seek those who will remain faithful unto Him regardless of opposition or temptation. Those who truly love God must reject sin, embrace truth, and pursue holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit.
When believers walk faithfully before God, they experience spiritual victory, divine fellowship, and the assurance of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
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Call to Action
Examine your life sincerely before God. Repent of every hidden sin, compromise, hypocrisy, rebellion, and spiritual inconsistency. Do not merely profess Christianity outwardly while inwardly entertaining darkness.
Renew your devotion unto Jesus Christ through prayer, fasting, worship, meditation upon Scripture, and obedience unto the Holy Spirit. Choose righteousness over compromise and truth over deception.
Honor the sacrifice of Jesus Christ daily through the way you live, speak, think, and conduct yourself before God and humanity.
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Final Word of Encouragement
God’s grace remains sufficient for every believer who sincerely desires to walk in righteousness. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers can overcome temptation, resist sin, and remain faithful unto the end.
Do not become discouraged in your pursuit of holiness. Continue seeking God earnestly, for He is faithful to strengthen, preserve, guide, and establish all who place their trust completely in Him.
Jesus Christ remains the Savior, Redeemer, Deliverer, and Coming King for all who faithfully endure in truth and obedience.
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Salvation Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, I come before You today acknowledging that I am a sinner in need of Your mercy and forgiveness. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose again for my salvation.
Please forgive all my sins, cleanse me with Your precious blood, and make me a new creation. I surrender my heart, mind, soul, and life completely unto You. Be my Lord, Savior, and King forever.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and teach me to walk in holiness, obedience, truth, and righteousness. Deliver me from every bondage of sin and help me to honor Your sacrifice through the way I live my life.
Thank You for saving me, redeeming me, and giving me eternal life. I receive Your grace today by faith.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
