Because He Lives

Jesus lives. Of this there is no doubt. Those of us who believe on Him (or claim to) ought to walk in newness of life, and not after the old life of the flesh. Scripture says that we are to reckon (consider) ourselves dead to sin (Romans 6:11). How then can we, who are dead to sin, continue to live in sin? When we are dead (as far as this life), we are no longer expected to be walking around, otherwise it is evident that we are not dead! Likewise, if we continue to walk in sin, then evidence shows we are not dead to it, and the Bible admonishes us to die to sin.

Ah, but is it possible to live a life without sin? If it is possible, what does that mean to those who either don't live free from sin or who don't even believe it's possible? If it's not possible, then has God failed and been forced to yield to sin, allowing it to rule over us and merely forgiving it because of the symbolic ritual of Jesus' death? Was Jesus' victory a victory over sin, or just a victory over the guilt of sin? Does the Spirit of God lead those who believe and trust in God to sin? If not, then how can we say we are led of the Spirit (Romans 8:14) and yet still walk in sin? If we are now permitted by God to sin without guilt, what does that mean or say about the holiness of God? Must the Almighty bow to sin? Is God really no stronger than we are when it comes to battling against sin? These are serious and tough questions that require honest, self-searching answers. What do YOU believe about sin?

Paul expressed some of the most powerful teachings about the sin nature (in Saints and in sinners) in his letter to the Romans. Consider that when Paul wrote, he didn't break his letter down into chapters and verses (we have done this in order to better organize the material in the Bible). When he wrote, he just wrote one long letter, although he dealt with several specific topics. For this reason, to get the fullest understanding of what Paul was teaching, we will have to carefully, prayerfully, without preconceiving our own ideas, read the letter to the Romans from 5:6 through 8:15.

Many Saints, unwilling to mortify the deeds of the flesh, will take a choice few verses from Chapter 7 and use them to provide a false sense of righteousness by reasoning that Paul is proving that one cannot not sin. But if we summarize all that Paul said on this matter, we can see three things: (1) There is no excuse to sin, ever. (2) There is yet a sin nature that exists in man even after being saved. (3) We can attain and maintain victory over our sin nature. Paul wrote these things to the Romans to explain these concepts, not to provide his readers with the fuel they needed to continue to sin without guilt or repentance.

Because Jesus lives, we are assured of victory over death and sin. Because He lives, I have access to His power (as was said to the Phlippians, "I can do ALL things through Christ...", which must include living a holy life, unless Paul was wrong). His life gives me a measaure of strength I don't have without Him, to live in a way that is pleasing to God, through the Spirit that dwells in me and leads me into truth and righteousness. But the most important thing, is that I want to live a holy life that God finds pleasing, I do not want to sin, and I am persuaded that if I keep my desire for a pure heart and a righteous life presented before God in prayer and consecration, God will keep me from falling.

Those who do not want to be kept...they'll have their excuses.