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The big question many people ask is, "Can I really live
a sin free life on earth?" The answer is YES. If we abide in Christ
we cannot sin. However, many theologians are teaching an abiding in Christ that is excusing
sin. Most of us look at the norm, we look at sinful human beings as our example.
Therefore, because we cannot see the exhibition of a triumphant life in the people around
us, we then believe that it is just not possible. Many exclaim that sin is a normal
part of everyday life. God forbid. That is the lie of the devil.
Friends, do not allow the truth in God's word to depreciate before your minds because those
who profess it do not live consistent lives. Jesus Christ and
Him only is our example, and if He is telling us to go and sin no more, then it is possible.
Let's look at what the Bible has to say.
Do I have to live in sin everyday?
After Jesus explained the kingdom of God to His disciples they asked him this question...
Matthew
19:25-26
When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Our natural reaction in the flesh is like that of the disciples. When they added
self effort in the equation of victory and did the math, the answer was defeat.
Christ rightly said, it is impossible in our own strength to live a righteous life.
However, Jesus is saying to
us, just surrender and allow me to live out my sin free life that I lived in you.
Let us examine Romans
6:3-11. I would like you to read those verses first, then move
on to the scripture below.
Romans
6:6
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Therefore, at baptism the old man is crucified with him as a result of going under the
watery grave of baptism symbolic of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ that can wash away
every and any stain of sin. Henceforth we should not serve sin. Jesus expects us to remain in him so that we will not continue in sin.
Romans
6:1-2
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Now, this victorious life is dependent on our belief system and practice. We must
believe that Jesus Christ can keep us from falling. We must suppress on a consistent
basis, surrendering our will to God. When his words are crystallized upon our
minds, then we will acknowledge Him in everything, so that he can direct our
path. Paul found this out and he realized that self and Christ cannot co-exist.
Upon that discovery he exclaims.
Galatians
2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Paul was trying to fight a spiritual war with carnal weapons. He was trying to help
God out. The Bible tells us, "It is not by might nor by power, but by my
spirit." Paul is saying, we must allow Christ to live out his life in us by
reading his words and meditating on him on a moment by moment basis.
Galatians
5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
What does the flesh do? It is subject to sin. But if we ask on a consistent
basis, "What should I do to honor you Lord," then we will be ok. If we sin, we are not in Jesus, we are of the devil. If we are in
Christ we cannot sin.
1
John 3:8
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.
For this to happen, friends, we would have to walk out of the protective environment of Jesus
Christ and follow the devil. It is a conscious decision, not ignorance nor
is it an accident. If you are in Christ there is no room for sin. Did Christ
accidentally sin or sin in ignorance? No, He did not, else he could not be our
Savior.
1
John 3:9
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
That is beautiful. If we are in him, we cannot sin. But do we believe
it? Friends, Satan cannot penetrate Jesus to get to you. Do you believe
that? He cannot do it, it is impossible. Some will argue and say, "what
about those things that I had no idea were sins. How can one protect themselves from
those situations if they are ignorant of it?" Consider this analogy: Bank tellers study the genuine bill only and not all
the
counterfeit that they can get their hands on. Why? Because somebody will
always come up with another counterfeit, and what are they going to compare that one
with if
they do not have an original? They would be lost. Remember, Jesus is
doing it. He will let us know when the devil is coming.
Hebrews
4:15
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Christ was tempted in all points, but without sin. If you are in Christ,
He will let
you know when the devil is on his way. At that point we can cry out for Jesus and
ask Him to do it for us or we can try to stand on our own. We have a decision to
make. If we truly love Him, we will always choose to stick with
Him. We do not need
to know all sin and every temptation. The only thing we need to do is to know Jesus
Christ. He will do the rest. Therefore, we will not accidentally sin.
No. There are no accidents or sins of ignorance with Christ. He is doing it.
1
John 3:6
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
The Bible says that if you abide in Christ you cannot sin. There are no
accident
or sins of ignorance.
The painful truth is that, if we sin we are of the devil. We are saying, "let
me out of here Lord. I do not want to be with you. I like what the
devil has
to offer." So we open the door from the inside (that protective environment in
Christ) and we walk out to the devil. What we are saying is, "I really do not
want to be with you Lord." Many who are living in denial will say that is a pretty
harsh
statement. They will argue and say, "I did not stay with the devil, I
asked for forgiveness and went
right back to Jesus." But friends, why would we want a high school
relationship? Why would we want to break up to make up. We know that we can
sin. At anytime we can always walk out of Christ and stand on
our own (living by the flesh) and that's why we fall into sin.
Sinning
under law vs. sinning under grace
Many theologians trivialize and minimize the
seriousness of sin by categorizing the transgression. How can we even attempt to
make a case suggesting that there is a difference between the Christian that sins and the sinning
worldling? Sin is sin. He that sins is of the devil the bible says.
Whether we are under grace or law the wage is the same. The
Bible says that the
wages of sin is death. Consequently, many are walking through this world managing
their sins, living in sin, singing I'm pressing on the upward way while they are sinking
further and further into degradation.
The law condemns and grace saves. Yes,
but unconfessed sins are unforgiven sins. So if we do not ask for grace to cover our
sins we will share the faith of the worldling. Consider this text.
Luke
13:2-5
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
We will likewise perish with the homosexuals,
murderers, rapists
and Satanists if we do not repent. Unconfessed sins are unforgiven sins.
Remember friends, no sin will enter heaven. We must be better than nice or good, we
must be holy. He that is in Christ, stay in Christ. We do not have
to fulfill the
lust of the flesh if we stay in Christ. He is able to keep us from falling.
Romans
6:1-2
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Why would
we want to crucify Him afresh by living in sin?
Hebrews
6:6
If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Hypothetically speaking - Tom is married to Jane. He pays all the bills, provides
for the family, helps with all the house work and helps with the training of the
kids. He takes
out Jane often and tells her how much he loves her. But once every two months he
beats her. He is really sorry for what he did and he begs for forgiveness.
Jane says if you do it again, I am going to leave you. Tom does it again in the next
two months. Even though he seems to be such a good husband and father, do you think he really loves
Jane if he beats her? No, how can he? Love protects, provides,
and connects, it
does not abuse. He that is in Christ, stays in Christ.
1
John 3:9
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Again, Christ is saying to us. If we abide in him, we cannot sin. Who are we
going to believe? The word of God or man?
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