In Christ, we have been delivered from the penalty of sin, but we must still deal with the presence of sin. We can desire holiness with all of our being but still be continually and habitually stuck in certain sins. Paul makes a very authentic and honest confession in Romans 7, admitting that he has a real problem with sin in his life. He states that it isnt him, but the sin that dwells in him. There was a struggle within Paul each and every day between what he willed to do and what he actually did. This struggle is all part of the process of sanctification. We all struggle to be free from sin, and we will never achieve this until heaven. Its good that sin bothers us. Its when it doesnt bother us that we need to be very concerned. As you deal with the presence of sin, take heart in several things. 1. Youre not alone in your struggle. There are others out there, like me, who fight against their flesh every day and lose more than we win. The truth is that we are all in the same boat. Nobody has it all together. 2. God knows this, and thats why Jesus came and died for us. He is a promise keeping God who has forgiven your sins once and for all. His mercy is new every morning, so embrace His grace. 3. You will be free from the grip of sin one day, in heaven, when our sinful flesh will have died and we will be given a new body with new hope, free from the sin that dwells in you. 4. Continue in the process of sanctification. Dont give up. Let your sin prove to you how much you need Gods forgiveness every day. Let it be something that drives you to your knees in prayer. 5. Be repentant. Confess your sin to God and to another believer. Turn from your sin and never accept it or legitimize it. It should repulse and humble you and constantly remind you how much you need the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. How you deal with the presence of sin in your life tells everything about your relationship with God. A true follower of Jesus Christ will be constantly troubled by their sin. If youre not troubled, then theres something wrong. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice, but what I hate, that I do. If then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. for I know that in me (that is in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. - Romans 7:15-18
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 11:23:17 +0000
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