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