Obtaining Victory Over Sin - NetBibleStudy.com

Victory Over Sin 67accomplish –- we have a sense of satisfaction when the task is completed. Specificshort-term goals give direction in how we use our time.However, temporary goals are not adequate for a meaningful and satisfying life.An executive who had achieved all the short-term goals one can imagine --- (he hadtwo beautiful homes, a car, and plenty of vacation time) –- yet, he committed suicidebecause, he said, “Life was not worth the trouble of living.” He had reached all of hismaterialistic goals and found they were not ultimately satisfying. Though most peoplewould not go so far as to commit suicide -- this true story could be multiplied bythousands and thousands of lives. Only eternal values can give meaning to temporalones. Time must be the servant of eternity. How is this done?1. THE EXAMPLE OF MOSESMoses could say “No” to the world because he was firmly convinced thattime (and eternity) would vindicate his choice. Focusing on the eternal gavehim the resources to make wise choices on earth.Given his values, Moses was willing to forgo immediate pleasures. The Bibledoes not deny there is pleasure in short-term goals. In Pharaoh’s court, Mosescould have enjoyed wine, women, and song, and far-flung political power aswell. But he knew that such pleasures are short-lived. He was able topostpone his immediate desires because of his faith in future rewards. Hecould say “No” to the world without thinking he had been shortchanged.In the record of the faithful ones, (Hebrews 11), we read, “By faith Moses, whenhe had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing ratherto endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures ofsin; considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; forhe was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king;for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen” (Hebrews 11:24-27).Moses endured because he saw the invisible One – Jesus Christ. He saw thedifference between time and eternity. Paul’s message to Christians is, “looknot at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the thingswhich are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal”(2 Corinthians 4:18).Contrast this with the immaturity of the “now generation” wanting all of itskicks, thrills and highs right now --- this every moment! No consideration isgiven for tomorrow, much less for distant future. The permanent is sacrificedon the altar of the immediate.Those who trust God can postpone fulfillment of their desires. Sex can waituntil marriage; the discipline of hard study can be endured for the sake of aneducation; and any sinful pleasure can be abandoned in favor of the greaterpleasure of fellowship with God.2. THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST