how to keep from sinning

In reading about the death of Jesus, 2 sections hit me.  The first is the Last Supper.  In Luke 22 He says, “I have looked forward to this hour with deep longing, anxious to eat this Passover meal with you”.  How wonderful it is to have Jesus long to be with us.  He then tells them that one of them will betray Him and one will deny they even know Him..  The second is the garden scene.  “Sit here while I go and pray.  My soul is crushed with grief.  Couldn’t you stay awake and watch for just one hour?”  How heart breaking to know that your best friends can’t stay awake and pray for you.   With help from my friends and my Bible, I’m going to talk about sin.  Romans 3: 23 states, ” For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  As I read the accounts of Mark and Matthew, there was much sin.  We have the Pharisees, Judas, Peter, John James, the desertion of all the disciples, Caiaphas, the lead priests, the entire council, Pilate, Barabbas, The Roman soldiers and the thieves.  There was lying, deceit, betrayal, denial, murder and greed, just to name a few.  All of this was going on around Jesus, yet He remained calm, focused and loving.  This had to impact the people watching and those standing around Him.  I want to walk you through 3 steps of falling into sin looking at Peter.  His first mistake was self confidence.  In Mark 14: 29, 31 Peter  says “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.  Not even if I have to die with you!  I will never deny you!”  To stay away from sin, we need to remember where our confidence is.  It’s in Jesus, not ourselves.  The second mistake is prayerlessness.  In Mark 14:38 Jesus says, “Keep alert and pray.  Otherwise temptation will overpower you.  For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak.”  The disciples could not keep their eyes open and they didn’t know what to say.  We need to be in constant  prayer and keep watch at all times to stay away from sin.  The third mistake that Peter made was staying in the situation.  Mark 14:66 states that Peter was in the couryard and as you read, hours pass and he is still there.  He didn’t remove himself from the situation that kept him in the sin.  This is a big one for me.  To keep from sinning, I need to remove myself from the temptation or avoid it all together.  Even though Peter sinned, when he heard the rooster crow, he wept bitterly.  Peter knew who Jesus was and sought forgiveness.  The betrayal of Judas is different.  The Bible says Judas was a thief (John 12:6).  Jesus knew Judas’ life of evil would not change (John 6:70).  Judas tried to undo the evil he had done but it was too late.  Judas ended his life in despair without ever experiencing the gift of reconciliation God could give  him through Jesus.  Judas didn’t lose his relationship with Jesus, he never found it in the first place.  How sad!  Peter had that relationship.  I want that relationship with Jesus. I never want to lose that.  I hope you do too.  Keep watch, pray, spend time with Jesus through His word and relationship with friends.  At this time of year especially, we think about the cost of what Jesus did for us.   The compassion and love for us is so deep.  It’s amazing to me.  If only I could be more like Him!  Kathy