Sin in the Life of the Christian
- Image by millicent_bystander via Flickr
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
Proof that a person knows Christ as his Savior is not found in sinless perfection. The Bible does, however demand a changed life as evidence that a person has received new spiritual life from God.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:17).
There is the constant tension between the lust of the flesh and the desire to be under the control of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17). From the moment we are saved by grace through faith we are made a new creation in Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The old nature is not eradicated when we believe on Christ, but we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome sin and grow in Christ-likeness (3:26-29; 4:6; 5:22-26; 6:14).
The atoning work of Christ on the cross is entirely sufficient to save us from our sin and keep us saved (Rom. 8:31-39). All of our sins are under the blood of Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:29; I Jn. 1:6-9).
The fact is we are sinners who are saved by the grace of God. He has declared the believing sinner just in His sight based on the death of Jesus for our sins (Rom. 1:16-17; 3:20-30). In the death of Christ something was done in regard to every sin we have committed and will ever commit. God has dealt effectively and efficiently with every sin before they are committed (Rom. 5:6-11). That is the only means of salvation for any sinner. Jesus takes away the sin of the world. He is the propitiation of our sin (1 Jn. 2:2). In the death of Jesus God has forever swept away the condemnation of our sins. “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 8:1; 5:1-2).
Can sin unsave a saved person? Is sin more powerful than the atoning sacrifice of Christ Jesus? Is sin more powerful than the blood of Jesus? Can you lose eternal life?
The apostle John wrote, “but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7-9).
Moreover the apostle Paul stressed the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who has sealed the believer unto the day of redemption. Can the infinite all-powerful Spirit of the living God possible loose someone in whom He is dwelling?
If the ultimate goal of Christ-likeness depended in the slightest degree upon human merit, no one could ever be saved. It is by the grace alone in Christ alone (Eph. 2:8-10).
He understands our every weaknesses and is interceding for us right now. In fact, He never ceases to intercede on our behalf. He now “appears in the presence of God for us” (Heb. 9:24).
Jesus does not continue to atone for our sins as they are committed. He has dealt with our sins “once for all” in the finished work on the cross at Calvary. He perfectly satisfied every demand of His own righteousness against sin at the cross (Heb. 9:11-15, 24-28; 10:10-14, 19-25).
We are now the children of God by adoption. Our sonship is eternal. It is the result of the new birth. The born again believer possesses “eternal life” now by a legitimate spiritual birth and can never perish (Jn. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:23; Heb. 4:12; 2 Cor. 5:17). It could not be eternal life if there was ever the possibility of it perishing or being lost.
Is the feeble act of man stronger than the sovereign act of God? There can be no fall in the “last Adam.” It is inconceivable that the Son God may fall or come up short of the Father’s expectations. I am in Him and He is in me. My eternal security does not depend upon me, but entirely on Him.
God will accomplish everything in His eternal purpose for the believer. His eternal purpose is that we should be “conformed to the image of His Son.” This goal is kept in His own power, and nothing can hinder Him in attaining it to His fullest satisfaction.
God always finishes what He begins. “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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Thank you for your obedience in posting His word brother. This is a topic that the Lord has been working with me on for a few years. I come here to reason together and learn His word.. My only goal is to know the Lord and know Him better… to learn the truth on this topic. I neither agree or disagree with this understanding of doctrine as it has not been revealed to me yet. I’m hopeful this is the time and place for my teaching to be fulfilled on this matter. All I ask, please… please help me via the Spirit and not base things on your own understanding or any cemented in doctrine. Please let the word speak in its context.. Here is what I gather from your post, as well as some further scripture below:
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:17). – AMEN
“There is the constant tension between the lust of the flesh and the desire to be under the control of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17). – Please help me here. The context of this passage starts all the way back in Gal 4:21. In my understanding of the context, Paul is most definitely not saying we will have a “constant tension”. Yes, he does indeed mention this tension between the 2, but no where did I read that we will have “constant” tension. On the contrary, (in the context) he is saying Christ sets us free from such: 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Paul also spoke of this tension of the flesh/spirit in Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
In reference to only this paragraph of your post: even if you don’t stand in agreement w/ the scripture that I just posted (and by all means, if you do not, please help me understand why, by using the same scripture.. and let us reason the scripture together. Not words of our own understanding) – Then please, at the very least, also show me where in the posted scripture it says: “The old nature is not eradicated when we believe on Christ” and “There is the constant tension..” I believe there is spiritual warfare going on, and there is a fight for our souls between the flesh and spirit.. But I also believe in the context of Paul’s message, that we are set free in Christ Jesus. Those who are Christ’s have crucified it’s flesh with its passions and desires. (Gal 5:24). If my flesh is crucified, how can their be a war between the 2? Yes, I am in this world, but I am not of it.
For the sake of keeping this to the point, without making it too long or having too many other tangents going on.. I’ll only reference this first. I’m very interested in seeing what the Spirit says in response to what I just posted.
Now, just a few other scriptures on the other side:
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, Jehovah appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Deuteronomy 18:13 Thou shalt be perfect with Jehovah thy God.
Amos 3:3 Shall two walk together, except they have agreed?
Ezekiel 36:25-27 And I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep mine ordinances, and do them.
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.
1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance: but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.
Matthew 5:48 Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
and many others..
My largest challenge in this areas is basically these 2 things. 1: Jesus said a couple of times, go and sin no more. I believe this was a commandment, not a suggestion. I don’t think He said this with tongue in cheek knowing they could not achieve it. 2: The Bible is our instruction manual, which points to walking with God in Unity and Oneness, in-Christ. Did God give us this instruction manual, again, tongue in cheek, knowing we couldn’t achieve it? Is it merely something to strive towards?
As far as I can tell, the Word gives very little inclination that these things are not achievable. What I see is the contrary, that the Word guides us to such a conclusion. Here and now.
Anyways, if you’re up for some good brotherly reasoning and really digging into scripture on this topic, I need it… If not, I’ll keep on keepin’ on. 🙂
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Keep oon working, great job!
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