So then if Christ has put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself once and for all, why do we so easily fall into the traps of sin? The short answer to that is we are carnally sold under sin, but we must understand that the old man has been put to death, according to God’s reckoning, we are no longer alive in the flesh (sinful creatures); we are new creatures in Christ! Where this gets a little hazy is when we try to rationalize our actions, and we find justification at either accusing ourselves as failures or excusing ourselves as children of God. Life is like a yo-yo and some days better than others. But where the mistake can be made is we base it on what we do instead of what Christ has already done. It seems such an easy, peaceable walk when we do not condemn our own actions. Yet if we act as we once did in any areas of our life prior to salvation we automatically want to question our salvation. It is back to what we achieve instead of what Christ achieved on Calvary. We do not only reason like this with ourselves but with others also. In fact, especially with others when we see them falling!
What I have now just said may be somewhat contentious so let us look for confirmation from God’s Word, otherwise what I have had to say is just another opinion not worth the cost of the ink used to pen it.
From what understanding do we start and from where should we launch? I believe a good place to start would be; “What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, "That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged." (Romans 3:3-4)
God then is the only one who always speaks the truth and men no matter how honest their intentions may be, if what they say does not confirm God’s Word they are but liars. If I look for justification while I sin as acceptable then I will be barking up the wrong tree, sin will never be acceptable as practise in our lives, that type of reasoning is a lie. We must endeavour to find repentance in every area of our lives where needed; “Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man--you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself--that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:1-4)
Having established that truth we must always be striving to put away sin in our lives, I have not arrived, and no matter how often I struggle in any particular area of my life I will by God’s grace strive to get there.
But for God to accept His children as they approach the throne of grace, we must be covered by the blood of the Lamb. He chose to make a way through His Son; we must then be covered by His righteousness. We must have His Spirit to belong to God’s family, if not we cannot approach the throne of grace, we do not qualify! Here is what Paul teachers; “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Romans 8:8-10)
Therefore on God’s reckoning although we still live in our earthly bodies, we eat, sleep and live life, our bodies are “dead because of sin”. We are now alive because of what Christ achieved on our behalf, “the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” This must then be the spring-board we approach life from. Will we make mistakes alone the way, I most certainly have and at time still do, but it is the only hope I have to cling too. It is not about my achievement but Christ’s! If we choose to reason any differently we then make the work of the cross but a small thing, and that it was not! It was the most glorious event of all time! Without it all would be lost to sin!
God has such an interest in our lives if we belong to Him that He will bless and discipline where and when it is needed for us to walk in the Spirit.
“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.” (Hebrews 12:6-8)
Our confidence then must lie in God our Father and our Saviour’s finished work and not our own accomplishments. We must remember that He is at the helm!
Why do some seem to be more diligent than others to God’s call upon their lives? I look around me and at times want to say what chance do I have when I see so many living as better examples? Woe is me I sometimes cry! But then I am reminded that He who has begun a good work will complete it on that day, even when I so often get in the way. Thank you Father for your mercy and how I long to finally put off this body of death that so often looks to oppose your will in my life, forgive me Lord!
Paul brings a balance to help us understand the mechanics of how we differ one from another; “Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” (Romans 14:4-5)
May we never excuse our sin as acceptable and may we always look to find repentance where and when needed. Although we are dead because of sin and we are saints because of Christ’s victory, let us remember Paul’s stern warning; “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:1-4)
Signing off
Tyrone
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