The Psalmist begins, The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice (Psalm 97.1). Because the LORD reigns we have great reason to rejoice, to be glad, to be content, to have hope. The LORD reigns and we can trust His sovereign design knowing He is ever good; we can trust His Almighty power, knowing there is none that will ever usurp His Throne; we can trust His Word, knowing that He will ever be faithful in all things and at all times. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne (97.2). Our LORD reigns in perfect righteousness, for He is holy, and He will not betray His holiness.
As the redeemed people of God, we should therefore have an earnest and continual desire to live under His authority and in His righteousness. Knowing the Lord Jesus Christ died on the Cross for us to be fully forgiven of all sin, knowing He has indwelt us and sealed us with His Holy Spirit, may we be diligent to run form sin, to flee every temptation to evil, to resist all forms of ungodliness creeping into our lives. O you who love the LORD, hate evil (97.10)! To hate evil is not to simply say it is bad, it is not to decry other’s choices to sin, it is not to condemn others for their ungodly actions. Rather, to hate evil is to see all sin before the holiness of God; to see all sin as an afront to the God of all creation; to see all sin as rebellion against the authority of God. To hate sin is to recognize the depth of God’s grace given the believer in salvation, is to understand the expanse of God’s mercy to provide forgiveness of all sin, is to cherish the unconditional love of God demonstrated in our salvation. In hating evil, the believer will see the horror of sin, the filth of sin, the ugliness of sin, the despicableness of sin, the curse of sin before the holiness of God. Sin must always be seen as that which is contrary to the Christian character. In Christ alone we can have victory over all sin; we do not have to wallow in darkness but are able to live in the fullness of the light of Jesus Christ.
Free to not sin – we much to be thankful for –
Terry
My Morning Desk 