The fact that Christ has victory over sin and death is too often not taken seriously or literally. This victory gives all who are in Christ the same victory over sin today - right now! Christ's work on the cross means we are no longer “slaves to sin” and can say no to sin today while we are still living. The victory is supposed to happen now - not some time in the future when we die. The work of Christ is sufficient to justify us and to completely sanctify us; giving us true victory so we stop sinning.
Am I seeking to stop sinning or have I actually stopped? To be born of God means that I have His supernatural power to stop sinning. The Bible never asks, "Should a Christian sin?" The Bible emphatically states that a Christian must not sin. - Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest", August 15 Read More“If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old is gone and the new has come” – 2 Cor. 5:17. Are you a sinner or a saint? I was once a sinner before Christ, but now that I am in Christ I am a saint. I was a sinner saved (justified) by grace. Now I am a saint that is being sanctified by that same “grace that brings salvation and has appeared to all men. It teaches me to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live a self-controlled, upright and godly life in this present age (today)”. – Titus 2:11. That is amazing grace which changes me both today and for eternity. That is what Christ completed on the cross.
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2 comments:
Gord,
You added some good content here. I would like to say that "I write this so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." - 1 John 2:1-2 When we are truly living for Jesus he goes to our defense and can tell the Father that this isolated sinful act is not characteristic of us and we are cool. You are right to make the distinction between an occasional (uncharacteristic) sin and habitual sin (continuing in sin).
I gotta also say that I believe God can completely and thoroughly sanctify us so that we can be without sin. Is that a reality yet in my life? Not every day, but it is many days. Progress is being made as I actively respond to the process Jesus started in my life. His Word says that I can live victorious over sin and without it in my life because I am in him. I have the faith that he will accomplish this in my life and I am pressing on toward this incredible prize - by God's grace!
Great post and comments! I still do not see how we will ever be fully sanctified in our fallen nature and world??? But we do need to encourage each other to press on toward the prize!
Like the Phoenix Suns' slogan- keeping their "Eyes On The Prize"- only the Suns will probably never win it all:)
We are assured of our reward!!
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