“Let me give you an illustration of what happens when you live a life close to sin and how to keep from falling for its temptation,” the preacher suggested.
“See the edge of this step?” he pointed to the edge of the preaching platform’s top step with his shoe. “So many, after they get saved walk as close to the edge by doing what they did before they got saved. They may be saved and cannot lose their salvation, but they never separate themselves from their old ways.” His foot bobbed in the direction of the other steps below the top one.
“They never change their lifestyle from what they did before they were saved. They hang around with the same folks that they used to sin with, go to the same places they sinned at, and when no one is looking, sin the same way they did before they were saved. Of course, they will fall. They may still be saved, but they never separate themselves from the iniquities they committed previously. Their lack of avoidance from damaging iniquity robs them of a joy they could have and keeps them from having a godly testimony.” He then walked that fine edge of the step and tripped down the stage’s steps, as he lost his balance.
After climbing to the top step, the preacher continued his illustration. “But, those that are saved and don’t want to get in the same situation they were before they were saved are wiser. Instead of walking on the edge of what is biblically right and wrong, they get far from that tempting line.” He then moved away from the step toward the pulpit’s platform.
“They read their Bible and read of a sin they are guilty of still committing. Conviction makes them want to flee that transgression, and they attempt to stop that iniquity.” The pastor again moved away from the step that represented the old life.
“They go to a good Bible-believing church and hear a message about another sin of which they are guilty. They do their best to get even further from that iniquity.” Again, the preacher moved another stride away from the step’s edge.
“When they commit another sin, again they feel convicted as the Holy Spirit reminds them that they need to stop trespassing against God. With a concern to please God, they again move further away from what they used to do.” The preacher took a giant step away from where he started.
More illustrations of past lifestyles that were discarded inched the preacher further away from the steps. “Now look where this obedient Christian is. He is far away from what he used to do,” as his arm gestured towards the eight feet he had moved away from his starting point. He turned his back to the audience and pointed at the direction the believer should be traveling.
“Now,” he continued, “this person is further away from temptation, but look what he is closer to.” He pointed to a mural on the wall that depicted an old-rugged cross with a background of Heaven. “He is further from sin’s hold on him and closer to Jesus. That is where all Christians need to be. Even if they fall to temptation, look where they are.” The preacher pointed to a distant old-lifestyle. “Even on their worse day they are far from temptation and still closer to God.”
This illustrates well the safety a God-pleasing, sin-fearing Christian will have when he separates himself from a lifestyle that is not pleasing to God. Believer, how far away are you from the edge? Are you too close to sin and are a poor testimony for the cause of Christ, or are you closer to the Lord?
“If you always do what you always did, you’ll always get what you always got.” — Barbara Brinkworth
it’s much easier to walk the path of a sinner because this is natural to us as we are sinners. It is hard to live daily in christ. As a christian this has been very difficult for me. I really like this example. I’m going to chellenge myself daily to face god. thank you and I will continue to read daily.
Amen. It is hard to walk the Christian walk. That is why so many don’t and have given up even trying. Glad your heart is sensitive to His bidding.