THE POWER OF SIN

“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” Rom.7:14-25

     Because of this sinful world many hold their lives as hostage before GOD due to their demands for certain needs to be met. The range of these demands covers the indolent, the frustrated, the hateful, and those in despair. This is part and parcel of the curse of sin in each of our lives. Because men lack understanding of the controversy between Christ and Satan, many demand of GOD that a certain ransom be paid before they will willingly conform their lives in the mold of heavenly virtue as defined in the Ten Commandments.

     We see this subtle form of blackmail both in and out of the Christian faith. Because Satan rightfully claims his rule as “the prince of this world,” GOD is legally helpless to bless the lives of billions of His children, many of whom view death to be a savior from their pain. But there is one way for GOD to legally intervene with His ability to bless our lives directly. To be closely knit in our communion with GOD opens the door of faith to be established. That faith leads to our freewill offerings of prayer for His intervention in our lives and the lives of those we care for and love. Jesus addressed this boundary where GOD has the ability to bless us: “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt.6:31-33. To maintain our focus on the righteous love of GOD in sending “his only begotten Son,” allowing Him to live out His will in our lives, this opens the floodgates of His divine intervention.

     The Bible’s boundaries between the afflictions we face in a sinful world and the promises for our deliverance should be understood to the fullest. This is because all manner of corrupt doctrines have contaminated the Christian church thereby threatening the salvation of all involved in the Christian faith. Long ago the LORD said: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Hos.4:6. The spectrum is broad, and among them includes the issue of sin that Paul addressed in the above passage. Our LORD, Saviour and KING desires our understanding of this principle of salvation, and has provided every counsel that none be left in darkness. His promise is sure: “Behold, I have foretold you all things.” Mk.13:23.

     Two extremes exist that oppose Paul’s words and have come to rule the churches. And while both oppose each other, both betray the guidelines of salvation through Jesus Christ. In effect they are polar opposites. But the LORD desires us to seek the equator between these two views where the light is brightest. Oh, how many times we are told that we have only two choices, when in fact there is a third! Satan delights in creating opposing forces where both stand condemned before GOD!

     In the predominant view concerning Paul’s words there is the great multitude of ministers who declare that the power of sin is so great, so impossible to overcome that the Christian must be saved in their sin-loving lives. Thus, they’re told to settle in their idleness, live out their lives just believing they are saved by Jesus, and they are as good as in heaven. “Once saved, always saved” regardless of one’s lifestyle is their declaration. “Just be a good person and the righteousness of Christ will cover your sins.” This openly denies the words of Jesus: “Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.” Mk.10:18.

     “Smooth words” headline their sermons, mingled with a mild admonition here and there. The words of Christ and His Apostle Peter plainly warn how the vast majority of professing Christians will stand condemned in the resurrection judgment (Matt.7:14; 22:14; I Pet.4:18). It also denies Scripture’s list of lifestyles that disqualify the soul from the Indwelling Christ (Isa.59:2; I Cor.6:9,10; Gal.5:19-21; Rev.21:8; 22:15). The sheer threat of sin, of what it is and what it is doing to afflict life in every conceivable way, is given little attention. And yet, this is the dominant view in the churches.

     In summation: Pleasing words that allow one to live their life in accordance with their desires regardless of the Scripture’s call to godliness is a betrayal of all that is “holy, and just, and good” (Rom.7:12).

     Now to offset the ministers’ indolence to the Bible’s warnings of sin’s condemnation there are hardliners in the Christian church who declare that sin is not a power but only a choice. But again, the above words of the Apostle Paul rebuke this class of ministers as well. While heaven’s gift of freewill plays a large role in the direction for our lives, the inheritance we received from Adam, when he sinned, points to a fallen nature with a power in our lives that none of us gave our consent to receive. None of us asked to be born who we are, what we are, and where we are!

     In addition, we see throughout history how there were those whose lives were abused from birth until death. Many a slave only knew the lash of the whip their entire lives and received not one ray of hope from GOD. Via wicked men, Satan blocked every avenue of GOD to reach their souls with His good news of their deliverance, and therefore never received of His Spirit [through whose power alone the sinner is raised to immortal life (Rom.8:11; I Cor.15:51-58)]. Was sin a choice for them? Or was it imposed on them without their consent? This thinking exposes the heart that stands void of the tenderness of Christ.

     Satan understands this principle, but the churches don’t. Enter: Jesus Christ. The LORD of Glory: the Sacrifice of GOD for all heartache, toil and sin has removed every aspect of life’s oppression that has been imposed on us. And this includes the death sentence we all received as a result of our sinful inheritance. Through Christ, we have been given newness of life—freedom to choose—even life eternal. This was the heart of the message of the Gospel that is to go to the world.

     As the prophetic events unfold, these issues will come to the forefront, and everyone will be called upon to choose which path is heavenward vs. those that lead to further darkness and the eventual fate of “the second death.” The LORD admonishes us: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” Rev.2:11. To those whose hearts are softened with the subduing Spirit of GOD “have overcome the wicked one.” I Jn.2:13. To those whose hearts remain closed to the “still small voice” of GOD the Apostle Peter warned, “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.” II Pet.2:20.

     Nevertheless, the appeal of Christ still stands today: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev.22:17.