Evangel Church Blog

The Christian Life-Ruling over our sin (Part 2)

12/10/2022

The Christian Life-Ruling over our sin (Part 2)

In our last article, which can be found on our website, we talked about God’s command to rule over our sin found in Genesis 4:7. We continue this month looking at verses that help us understand our part in this.

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13 – Your sin is not unique and enslaves you only if you indulge in it. This is how addictions are born yet God is faithful. He knows your limitations and keeps obedience within your reach. Nothing in Scripture is written in vain, but serves those who will rely on it.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17 – For the born again Christian the penalty and dominance of sin has passed away and a new life of repentance has come.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; – 1 John 1:6 - If we say we’re Christians yet do not follow the life he calls us to, we’re simply not followers of Christ. Many call themselves Christians but live no differently than unbelievers.
Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. – James 4:7-10 – Leaving the door cracked for sin encourages Satan. Committed resistance defeats Satan. Take action to clean your house, shut the door on sin and flee all immorality. Sin is not to be laughed at and delighted in but mourned over. Those who find joy in sin have no real fear of God or awe of his majesty or dread of his wrath. It is a dangerous condition.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16 - Jesus’ word is spiritual. John 6:63 Following His word keeps us from sinning.
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. – James 1:12 – God’s wonderful rewards are worth fighting for both now and for eternity!

God does not owe us the grace and mercy he shows us. When our life ends or Jesus returns the days of grace end and judgment will come. Have you taken the sacrificial death of God’s son for granted? Jesus left detailed instructions for living the new life he requires of us. Do our lives reflect dedication to Christ?

We must depart the self-centered road the world is traveling on and follow Christ. His is the way, the truth and the life.
Come!

Colby Reeves – member
Evangel Church PCA, Alabaster Al. (evangelchurchpca.org)

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The Christian Life-Ruling over our sin.

12/10/2022

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The Christian Life

Ruling over our sin.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:8

“sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:7

In the beginning Adam trusted and obeyed God. He was pure in thought, word and deed. He enjoyed the great benefits and joy of a relationship with his Creator. On the day he was tempted and disobeyed God, he ate of the forbidden fruit. Where unending life, love, peace, and security had been, now fear, unrest, and death came. Man became sinful. He was barred from Paradise and separated from God. (Genesis 3)

Sin is the great deceiver and destroyer of mankind. Our sin is what separates us from God and from each other. It is active and temps us daily to ignore God’s good commands and live any way we please, in spite of the consequences. Many times we sacrifice doing right, to satisfy sin. Sin usually takes us farther than we intended to go, keeps us longer than we intended to stay, and costs more than we intended to pay. Romans 6:20-23 tells us we are slaves to sin before coming to Jesus. We are sinful by nature. Most people would freely admit that they are not perfect, which is true, but unfortunately we’re alright with that. But God is NOT alright with it. He says we must rule over our sin. The implication is that while sin still exists in us, it no longer is to dominate us. Through Christ we can say NO, and mean it.

1 Corinthians 15:7 “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” When you trust in Jesus not only is your sin debt removed but you are given a new nature through the Holy Spirit. You are no longer a slave to sin. The reason Matthew 5:5 says “blessed are the poor in Spirit” and “blessed are they that mourn” is because heartfelt grief and sorrow over our sin (new nature) is the necessary motivation empowering us to say no to sin and obey Christ. Our new nature desires righteousness.

But what about when we fail? 1 John 1:9 tells us “ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Even when we repent and trust in Jesus, sinful temptations will still come. Heartfelt confession brings forgiveness and, if heartfelt, a willingness to change. Hebrews 12:1 says to “run with endurance”. In 2 Corinthians 10:5 we’re told to “ bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”. Sin begins in the mind. Our thoughts must be guarded closely and sin plucked out. In our new nature we are willing to devise a battle plan to conquer sin and fight for righteousness.

Do you have a plan to rule over your sin? Have you committed to Jesus, His Church, and to study His word? Have you committed to prayer? Jesus said “all who come to me I will surely not reject” (John 6:37) Come!

Colby Reeves - member
Sundays 9:00 SS - 10:15 worship.

Evangelchurchpca.org

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The Christian Life-Ruling over our sin (Part 2)

The Christian Life-Ruling over our sin.

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