Dealing with Sin
Dealing with Sin
How often have you said, “I’m trying my best to live the Christian life” or “I’m trying not to sin in this area of my life?” Many followers of the Lord Jesus Christ make statements like this as if it all depended on them to “live out” the Christian life. We definitely have our role in the process but I want you to remember something specific today.
If we are to live a life that is Christ-centered and God-honoring, we must deal with sin, God’s way.
Ok, now that we got that out of the way. How do we deal with sin, God’s way? Let me begin by telling you how we are NOT to deal with sin. First of all, we cannot ignore sin. When we push “sin under the rug” and say, “out of sight, out of mind,” we are just giving the devil ammunition for later. We cannot ignore sin, we must face it head on. Second, and probably at the other extreme, we cannot deal with sin by ourselves. This means we must have help dealing with the sins in our lives.
How do we deal with sin, God’s way?
In the book of Romans, chapter 7, we see a picture of a man who is struggling with sin. The apostle Paul recognizes that he has the desire to do good but he does not have the ability to carry it out (7:18). He mentions this “waging of war” that goes on constantly in his body (7:23) to the point he cries out to God, “wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (7:24). Ultimate deliverance from sin comes through the Lord Jesus Christ (7:25). If we want to deal with sin God’s way, we must first realize that Jesus dealt with sin, on our behalf, on the old rugged cross of Calvary. When we place our faith in Christ, forever we are delivered from the penalty of sin. We have forgiveness and eternal life. And because of Christ, and His sweet salvation, Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” NO CONDEMNATION FOR OUR SIN? Wow, what a Savior! Jesus makes things right for us positionally before a Holy God.
Positionally, Christ makes things right for us who believe in Him. Practically, how do we deal with sin in our lives? On a daily basis, how do we handle sin as we TRY to live our lives for Christ and His glory? Remember, we cannot deal with sin by ourselves. Yes, we play our part. I believe our part is about positioning ourselves before God through prayer, the Word of God, and through spiritual disciplines that we develop into our lives. Romans 7 tells us how impossible it is for us to deal with sin alone, but Romans 8 tells us that positionally we are not condemned for our sin because of the salvation of Christ. Romans 8 also gives us the answer to how we deal with sin daily, on a practical level. Look at Romans 8:3-6 (ESV):
3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Do you see it? Romans 8 is a great passage on how the Holy Spirit helps us deal with sin. We are not alone in dealing with sin. It is not up to us alone to “live the Christian life.” As believers, we’ve been given an extraordinary gift, the Person of the Holy Spirit. Jesus took our condemnation and provided our justification (declared not guilty for sin). The Spirit of God helps us walk righteously with God daily (v. 4). We are challenged daily to set our minds on the Spirit of God or live according to the flesh. The choices we make every day, reflect if we are going to trust our own strength and resources, or if we are going to trust God’s provision for righteous living (walking in the Spirit). What part do we play in dealing with sin? Nurturing the Spirit of God through the Word of God. Give the Holy Spirit “something” to work with. Allow the Holy Spirit to “guide you in all truth.” Tap into the power of Holy Spirit living. Before Jesus was crucified, he told his disciples that he would send the Spirit so they would not be alone. YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN DEALING WITH YOUR SIN. Be encouraged church! This is how God helps us deal with sin positionally and practically.
Praying for my church family, as you tap into Holy Spirit living!
Pastor Todd
How often have you said, “I’m trying my best to live the Christian life” or “I’m trying not to sin in this area of my life?” Many followers of the Lord Jesus Christ make statements like this as if it all depended on them to “live out” the Christian life. We definitely have our role in the process but I want you to remember something specific today.
If we are to live a life that is Christ-centered and God-honoring, we must deal with sin, God’s way.
Ok, now that we got that out of the way. How do we deal with sin, God’s way? Let me begin by telling you how we are NOT to deal with sin. First of all, we cannot ignore sin. When we push “sin under the rug” and say, “out of sight, out of mind,” we are just giving the devil ammunition for later. We cannot ignore sin, we must face it head on. Second, and probably at the other extreme, we cannot deal with sin by ourselves. This means we must have help dealing with the sins in our lives.
How do we deal with sin, God’s way?
In the book of Romans, chapter 7, we see a picture of a man who is struggling with sin. The apostle Paul recognizes that he has the desire to do good but he does not have the ability to carry it out (7:18). He mentions this “waging of war” that goes on constantly in his body (7:23) to the point he cries out to God, “wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (7:24). Ultimate deliverance from sin comes through the Lord Jesus Christ (7:25). If we want to deal with sin God’s way, we must first realize that Jesus dealt with sin, on our behalf, on the old rugged cross of Calvary. When we place our faith in Christ, forever we are delivered from the penalty of sin. We have forgiveness and eternal life. And because of Christ, and His sweet salvation, Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” NO CONDEMNATION FOR OUR SIN? Wow, what a Savior! Jesus makes things right for us positionally before a Holy God.
Positionally, Christ makes things right for us who believe in Him. Practically, how do we deal with sin in our lives? On a daily basis, how do we handle sin as we TRY to live our lives for Christ and His glory? Remember, we cannot deal with sin by ourselves. Yes, we play our part. I believe our part is about positioning ourselves before God through prayer, the Word of God, and through spiritual disciplines that we develop into our lives. Romans 7 tells us how impossible it is for us to deal with sin alone, but Romans 8 tells us that positionally we are not condemned for our sin because of the salvation of Christ. Romans 8 also gives us the answer to how we deal with sin daily, on a practical level. Look at Romans 8:3-6 (ESV):
3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Do you see it? Romans 8 is a great passage on how the Holy Spirit helps us deal with sin. We are not alone in dealing with sin. It is not up to us alone to “live the Christian life.” As believers, we’ve been given an extraordinary gift, the Person of the Holy Spirit. Jesus took our condemnation and provided our justification (declared not guilty for sin). The Spirit of God helps us walk righteously with God daily (v. 4). We are challenged daily to set our minds on the Spirit of God or live according to the flesh. The choices we make every day, reflect if we are going to trust our own strength and resources, or if we are going to trust God’s provision for righteous living (walking in the Spirit). What part do we play in dealing with sin? Nurturing the Spirit of God through the Word of God. Give the Holy Spirit “something” to work with. Allow the Holy Spirit to “guide you in all truth.” Tap into the power of Holy Spirit living. Before Jesus was crucified, he told his disciples that he would send the Spirit so they would not be alone. YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN DEALING WITH YOUR SIN. Be encouraged church! This is how God helps us deal with sin positionally and practically.
Praying for my church family, as you tap into Holy Spirit living!
Pastor Todd
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Thank you!