When using the law of God
as a yardstick, it is good to understand the truth of why we behave the way we
do from day to day. Obviously sin taking advantage of the flesh causes us to do
the things we do not by choice want to do and vice-versa; we often know to do
something that is good but end up not doing it. Sadly that actually happens a
lot in my life and I am not alone.
But just in case it appears like I
sucked this philosophy from my thumb, which seems to be the trend for many
opinions out there, here then is the proof; “For we know that the
law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not
understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing
I hate.” (Romans
7:14-15) – It is the Apostle Paul’s understanding that we are rotten to
the core and all because of sin, which is the enemy of the cross, in fact it
needed God to send the Lord Jesus Christ His Son to die for sin and then by the
power of the resurrection the shackles of sins power were broken; someone
righteous (a sinless person) had to pay the price for the breach of man’s
disobedience.
The
problem society has is they believe they are good; they compare themselves
against more hardened criminals, justifying themselves, overlooking their breach
to God’s law. That is our mistake and this is where the power of sin lies and
deceives billions! “For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it
killed me.” (Romans 7:11) – Simply
put, it was sin that introduced mankind to death; prior to the first couple
(Adam and Eve) sinning there was no death. But once Eve broke God’s law and ate
of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, death swallowed them up and also
now waits to engulf all of us who still breathe. There is no escape, all will
die! Our bodies of flesh will die!
The
miraculous achievement of Calvary now allows some; those who believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ’s finished work will live forever, obviously our flesh will return
to the dust but our new bodies, glorified bodies (spiritual bodies) will animate
in the presence of God forever; it will no longer be bound by the power of sin.
The things we intend to do for the glory of God will happen as they were meant
too. We will make a decision to bring Him glory and it will transpire. What a
day that will be! But for now the war rages on because we have a flesh and
blood body, this continual conflict will run with us until death.
Nevertheless
we have been sanctified by the blood of the Lamb and only because of His
obedience; Christians can now claim victory in Him even when we fail God by our
actions. Why? Because the bible teaches us that The Lord Jesus’ sacrifice
covers our past, present and future sins; God has been satisfied with Christ’s
sacrifice. This is what we have been taught about that sacrifice; “But
when Christ had offered for all
time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his
feet. For by a single
offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:12-14) – An offer which would appear too good to be true
and yet this is God’s offer for all those who would believe in Him, what grace,
what mercy. God is GOOD!
Here then is my
conclusion, as Christians we still battle to do the right thing, some suggest that as
Christians the bonds of sin have been broken, which Christ has obviously achieved,
for He lived a life of sinless perfection but does that mean we now are no
longer subjected to the argument that Paul presents in 1 Corinthians chapter 7?
Some scholars have the view that he is addressing the unsaved individual and
not the Christian. Test it for yourself as a Christian do you always do the
right thing? We would all agree that we as Christians need to pursue holiness
on a daily basis; we must seek out God’s grace to become more like our Saviour
in Character. It is our failures that drive us to embrace our unseen hope, that
one day we shall be like Him.
I
tread with caution; please do not misunderstand my point, I am not giving
licence for sin, remembering that Christ died for our sins. What I am saying is:
once we get to heaven sin with its clutches will have no more bearing on our
lives. This is the hope we have in God’s promises for the faithful. But until
then the battle rages on, may we be determined to wrestle with God’s law as our
yardstick and seek His grace to overcome each obstacle as it presents itself in
opposition to His will and character.
Signing
off
Tyrone
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