04/29/2021
What can we do to keep from sinning? There is only one way, and that is to abide in Jesus. It stands to reason that since He is without sin then if we are in Him we would be too. This is a bit of a paradox isn’t it because scripture tells us that all men sin... so how can this be? Well scripture gives us the answer to this question as well. It is by the transformative power of Christ. In Him we become new creations.
“You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.”
1 John 3:5-6 ESV
So if we are not without sin then what happens to us that makes it possible for Christ to live in us? The first thing we need to understand is that we are not sin, but merely sinners. Adam did not become sin when he fell from grace, no, when he and Eve ate of the tree they only gained the knowledge of good and evil... they did not become evil, or sin itself. They suddenly realized that they were naked, or in other words their eyes were opened to what was good and bad... they saw sin for the first time.
“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law.”
Romans 5:12-13 ESV
Thus, it was by this understanding that Adam brought sin into the world, and to undo what he had done it would take a very special dispensation from God... we call it grace, and it could only come through a perfect blood sacrifice. The world needed a transfusion to cleanse it... and to be transformed.
“But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.”
Romans 5:15 ESV
Jesus Christ provided that blood for us, and became the perfect Lamb of God which God sent to be our sacrifice. Jesus did what Adam could not do... He not only came to know sin, but actually became sin for us.
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV
So now it is possible for us, who are all sinners, to accept the transfusion that God provided for us by grace, and we do this by believing in Jesus, and having faith in Him. Just as Adam did not create, or become sin, we cannot create or become righteousness. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil changed Adam, and now the vine, who is Jesus Christ, changes us.
“the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.”
Romans 3:22-25 ESV
God sent Him s Son because He loves us, and He sent Him to redeem us while we were yet sinners... Jesus doesn’t abide in us because we are perfect, and free of sin... no, He abides in us to make us perfect, and to free us of sin.
“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:46-48 ESV
So Jesus washed away the past sins of sinners who came to believe, and by our belief and faith in Him He keeps us from sinning by His blood that not only washes away what was, but what is, and what will be. When we are tempted and sin, then the blood of Jesus, that continues to flow through us, remains effective in its cleansing power, and by our contrition we are forgiven once again. Grace... it is a mystery to us, and causes us to ask ourselves “which came first, our sin, or God’s grace?”, and “is this power of grace a reason for us to ignore sin?” We can only serve one master, and are meant to serve grace...
“What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.”
Romans 6:15-18 ESV
So as long as Jesus abides in us, and we have faith in Him and God’s grace, which flows through Him, then we are new creations, perfected in Him, and righteous before God. We are servants of grace, and sin has no hold on us... this is how we keep from sinning; by being wrapped in God’s grace... all around. Are you ready to be free of sin, and death?
“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
Romans 6:14 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, and your grace which flows from Him. Thank you for this incredible grace that was conceived, and placed in Him before the foundation of the world, that it might become your gift of righteousness to us, fallen man. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who forgives, and removes the sin that swirls about us by washing it away in the blood of Christ the Lamb of God. Praised be your name Father for this amazing grace that you surround us with, and for how you place us in its cocoon as we are transformed by your Son who abides in us. Merciful are you who calls us to Jesus, and opens our eyes to who He is... our redeemer, and your Son. Hear our voices Father as we offer our prayers of belief, faith, and contrition. Wash us clean in a steady flow of redemptive blood as we struggle against temptation and sin in our quest for your approval as we seek to become worthy of your forgiveness, and the gift of eternal life you have extended to us. On the day of our judgement we pray that you see the grace of Jesus as you look at us, and seat us sty our table forevermore... Holy as He is Holy.
“since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”
1 Peter 1:16-21 ESV
Rich Forbes