The Jesus Blanket

I make my home in the south for a reason. I am cold natured, and would rather live in temps in the 90’s than in the teens. This week I ‘m on a ministry trip in San Antonio and staying with a friend who graciously opens up her home to us every time we come to town. What a gift! But she likes to keep her house cold. I am currently nestled under the covers, not even wanting to venture downstairs for a cup of coffee. When I abide under the toasty blanket, I’m warm. Outside I’m cold. Simple logic.

As I spent time in 1 John this morning, I came across a similar concept and realized it’s the cure for sin.

“But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning” (1John 3:5-6).

Until I saw this verse, I’d always believed, even as Christians, we still had sinful natures, which is true, but I also believed we occasionally slipped up, also true. What I didn’t know is if we abide in Jesus and stay closely covered by him, we will not sin at all, because when we live and breathe in him, sin cannot coexist. It’s the cure for sin!

Staying under our Jesus blanket wipes out the Top 15 list of sins listed in Galatians 5: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy; drunkenness, and orgies.

Then, instead of dead sinful fruit, remaining under his covering results in the fruits of the spirit that are alive: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Abiding in Jesus equates to sinlessness.

Not abiding in Jesus opens us up to sin.

So what does it look like to abide, or to stay under our Jesus blanket?

We have to spend time in his Word daily. I have found when I hurry my quiet time in the morning, I am more exposed to the world and don’t have the complete covering I need.

We must pray without ceasing.  Prayer is simply talking to God, so when we converse with God throughout the day, it’s more difficult to fall into bad behavior.

We have to listen for the Holy Spirit’s direction. When I am tuned into the gentle whisper of God, he will warn me when I am headed in a wrong direction, or thinking something inappropriate.

Give your life daily to him. Ask God to take over your agenda and to create in you a clean heart and a right spirit.

It’s about time to leave my warm blanket because I have to get ready, but we never have to leave the covering of Jesus. Abiding in him is the only way we can overcome the temptations of this world, so reach out for the blanket of Jesus. He is the only cure for sin.