VICTORY OVER SIN

     When many come to Christ, they give their hearts entirely to learn and to serve His desires for them. The Holy Spirit leads them to the Word of GOD. And the Word of GOD trains them to serve both GOD and man in a sinful world. With a zeal having the vigor of a child they embark on their new spiritual walk with Christ. Reading the Bible, praying, desiring to share Christ with others, and with a love that desires to see all people in a safe spiritual condition, that all “may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge.” Eph.3:18,19.

     Joining a church, the new Christian is expecting all to relish the joyful Presence of the LORD as he or she does. But more often than not the character of the congregation does not live up to the joy and zeal of the new Christian. Hypocrisy, laziness, and outright antichrist behavior is witnessed. Ministers, who hold the shepherd’s rod only give platitudes and empty messages, where most give more pathos to their own words than to the Sacred Words of Christ. Disillusioned and discouraged many new Christians are worn down by the pride, the indifference, and even the outright cruelty of the heart toward others who are perceived as eternally lost. The spirit of ridicule rules many churches. Its as if once a week the congregation enters a monastery for the self-righteous.

     Enter: The Holy Bible. All of these shortcomings and the abhorrent frailty of human character are listed (Mk.13:23). And for each spiritual threat to one’s salvation, the Scriptures provide the remedy (Isa.34:16). This is the time when only Bible literacy will spare the Christian from the erosion of his or her faith. As to the pitiful condition of the churches by and large we are counseled: “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev.12:17. In these words we see how Satan will send a hundred angels to assail the Christian whereas the unbeliever is left alone to his own devices. In this, we can have compassion on our church leaders, based on their having to endure much more fierce temptation than the average man. The same principle applies to all who stand in positions of authority, whether the government leaders or law enforcement. This is why we are called to pray for them.

     But the heart of Christianity’s failure in its profession of serving the LORD Jesus Christ is how the ruling theology actually denies the Gospel. The church insists that Christians must be saved in their sins and not from their sins. Roman Catholicism is the world’s leader in promoting universal transgression of the Ten Commandment Law that Christ obeyed unto His death to redeem us. Those who dishonor His Law dishonor Him (Heb.6:4-6). And the Protestant denominations have followed Rome in this tenet that denies the Power behind the Good News of salvation. The Good News is that we do not have to be bound by sin. Christ has not only redeemed us from the inheritance of condemnation we received from Adam (I Cor.15:22), but also His Presence in the soul through the power of the Holy Spirit will continually mold and sanctify the soul to where sin no longer has any hold in one’s deeds in life. We do not have to be sinning sinners!

     While we have the inexhaustible forgiveness of Christ (Matt.18:21,22; I Jn.2:1) Who intercedes for us daily by His atoning sacrifice for our sins (Heb.7:25), we are called to confess our sins and forsake their hold in our lives (I Jn.1:9), that others may see the change in us and give glory to GOD (Lu.8:38,39) for His merciful power and patience to see us overcome, as Jesus overcame (Rev.3:21).

Let us see some verses that encourage us to overcome, even as Christ overcame:

“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.” I Jn.3:9.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” I Pet.1:3-5

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” II Cor.7:1

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Rom.8:1,2

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works.” Heb.6:1

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Ps.19:7-14

     As GOD delivered the Hebrews from the bondage of slavery in Egypt, as Christ delivered the entire human family from the inheritance of sin with all its woes, so the Presence of the Holy Spirit Who carries the Presence of the Father and the Son into the willing heart, will deliver the penitent from every defilement of sin: from the wicked deeds done in the body to the contamination sin has wrought throughout the world. Because one day this prophecy will be fulfilled, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away .” Rev.21:4.