Sin in the Life
of the Christian
Proof that a person knows Christ as his Savior is not found in
sinless perfection. The Bible does, however demand a changed life as evidence that a
person has received new spiritual life from God.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old
things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:17).
There is the constant tension between the lust of the flesh and the
desire to be under the control of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17). From the moment we
are saved by grace through faith we are made a new creation in Christ and indwelt by the
Holy Spirit. The old nature is not eradicated when we believe on Christ, but we are
empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome sin and grow in Christ-likeness (3:26-29; 4:6;
5:22-26; 6:14).
The atoning work of Christ on the cross is entirely sufficient to
save us from our sin and keep us saved (Rom. 8:31-39). All of our sins are under the blood
of Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:29; I Jn. 1:6-9).
The fact is we are sinners who are saved by the grace of God. He has
declared the believing sinner just in His sight based on the death of Jesus for our sins
(Rom. 1:16-17; 3:20-30). In the death of Christ something was done in regard to every sin
we have committed and will ever commit. God has dealt effectively and efficiently with
every sin before they are committed (Rom. 5:6-11). That is the only means of salvation for
any sinner. Jesus takes away the sin of the world. He is the propitiation of our sin (1
Jn. 2:2). In the death of Jesus God has forever swept away the condemnation of our sins.
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace
in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 8:1; 5:1-2).
Can sin unsave a saved person? Is sin more powerful
than the atoning sacrifice of Christ Jesus? Is sin more powerful than
the blood of Jesus? Can you lose eternal life?
The apostle John
wrote, “but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that
we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our
sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7-9).
Moreover the apostle Paul stressed the indwelling
presence of the Holy Spirit who has sealed the believer unto the day of
redemption. Can the infinite all-powerful Spirit of the living God
possible loose someone in whom He is dwelling?
If the ultimate goal of Christ-likeness depended in the slightest
degree upon human merit, no one could ever be saved. It is by the grace alone in Christ
alone (Eph. 2:8-10).
He understands our every weaknesses and is
interceding for us right now. In fact, He never ceases to intercede on
our behalf. He now “appears in the presence of God for
us” (Heb. 9:24).
Jesus does not continue to atone for our sins as they are committed.
He has dealt with our sins “once for all” in the finished work on the cross at
Calvary. He perfectly satisfied every demand of His own righteousness against sin at the
cross (Heb. 9:11-15, 24-28; 10:10-14, 19-25).
We are now the children of God by adoption. Our sonship is eternal.
It is the result of the new birth. The born again believer possesses “eternal
life” now by a legitimate spiritual birth and can never perish (Jn. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:23;
Heb. 4:12; 2 Cor. 5:17). It could not be eternal life if there was ever the possibility of
it perishing or being lost.
Is the feeble act of man stronger than the
sovereign act of God? There can be no fall in the “last Adam.” It is
inconceivable that the Son God may fall or come up short of the Father's
expectations. I am in Him and He is in me. My eternal security does not
depend upon me, but entirely on Him.
God will accomplish everything in His eternal purpose for the
believer. His eternal purpose is that we should be
"conformed to the image of His Son.” This goal is kept in His own
power, and nothing can hinder Him in attaining it to His fullest satisfaction.
God always finishes what He begins. “For I am confident of this
very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ
Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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