sin after salvation

As we have seen from Romans, chapters 7 and 8, we all have a sin nature, an actual "force within" that tries to drive us the wrong way on life's one-way streets.  It is a force that actually is separate from our mind and personality because it tries to make us do things we absolutely know are wrong and that, when we think about it, we don't even want to do!  Nevertheless we are responsible...sin cannot be hatched from a "sin nature" without our decision to participate.  Jesus came into the world to share our human experience.  Part of that experience was to deal with the same sin nature that all of us have. 

Hebrews 4:¹⁵ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  We needed to be delivered from our sin, but we also needed to be "made right" so that we could be in God's presence one day and for eternity.  Only the sacrifice of a perfect lamb would accomplish this, as Old Testament sacrifices for sin had pictured.  Of course, we need for this sacrifice to apply to our lives on an individual basis.  Just as we have a capacity for sin, so we have a capacity for salvation.  Just as we cannot do right in our own strength, so we cannot make ourselves right in our own strength.  But, after the wonder of faith has opened our hearts to accept Christ, and His payment on our behalf we find sin's presence still in our midst.  In my opinion God allows this to help us mature and to reflect His nature.  One key to living in victory seems to be our "mind set".  We can choose what we will think about and who we talk to.  If we choose to think about the Lord and to talk to Him, we're not as likely to sin.  Consider Romans 8:5-6  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, the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Every day and throughout the day we can reign in our thoughts and bring them back to the Lord.  This is where growth takes place...when we choose to set our minds on the Lord, despite sin's shadowy presence.  Romans calls this "walking in the Spirit".   Fortunately we have the greatest resource imaginable to be successful in this challenge: we have the indwelling presence of the Lord:  Romans 8:¹¹ But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.  We'll continue to consider the benefits that come from walking in the Spirit tomorrow.

 

blessings,

Rob Smith