DAY 12
Why do Christians continue to sin?
This is the great dilemma in the church and has brought much confusion. Most Christians believe that we are saved by God’s grace. When we believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again we are saved. But then we are taught we must obey the Ten Commandments and the laws of God in order to be righteous and holy before him. The problem is we still have sin in us. When we believe that we must be perfect in our obedience in order to be righteous and holy before God we will always fall under condemnation. As long as we are in these mortal bodies we will have to contend with our flesh. We will fall short of the Law of Moses. When we fall under condemnation we do not feel worthy of God. Many Christians do not believe they are worthy of God because they fail and are not perfect in their obedience. The truth is no one can obtain their righteousness and holiness before God in their obedience to his commandments. No one is justified by the Law. God’s righteousness and holiness are given to us as a free gift. We are righteous and holy before God by our faith in Christ’ finished work at the cross.
Galatians 2:16-17,19-20 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. 17 "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! …19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
While we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners. Even though we believe in Jesus and have received his righteousness as a free gift we still sin. The Law demands that you keep it perfectly and be condemned and judged. The Law also allows you to have a substitute. Jesus was our Substitute. When I believe the gospel and accept Jesus as my Savior I die with him. The Law can no longer condemn me because I have already died. I was crucified with Christ, therefore through the Law I died to the Law. I resurrected with Christ a brand new man. My spirit is born-again and my heart is free from sin however my mortal body still has the sin nature attached to it. We are instructed to count ourselves dead to it, to crucify it daily and not to yield to its selfishness, fear, pride and lust. Unfortunately we will struggle with our flesh as long as we are in these mortal bodies. The Good News is God does not count our sins against us. He is merciful to our unrighteousness and he remembers our sins no more. We are to renew our minds to the revelation of our position in Christ Jesus as righteous and holy sons of God.
Galatians 2:16-17,19-20 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. 17 "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! …19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
While we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners. Even though we believe in Jesus and have received his righteousness as a free gift we still sin. The Law demands that you keep it perfectly and be condemned and judged. The Law also allows you to have a substitute. Jesus was our Substitute. When I believe the gospel and accept Jesus as my Savior I die with him. The Law can no longer condemn me because I have already died. I was crucified with Christ, therefore through the Law I died to the Law. I resurrected with Christ a brand new man. My spirit is born-again and my heart is free from sin however my mortal body still has the sin nature attached to it. We are instructed to count ourselves dead to it, to crucify it daily and not to yield to its selfishness, fear, pride and lust. Unfortunately we will struggle with our flesh as long as we are in these mortal bodies. The Good News is God does not count our sins against us. He is merciful to our unrighteousness and he remembers our sins no more. We are to renew our minds to the revelation of our position in Christ Jesus as righteous and holy sons of God.
PrayerFather I thank you for not counting my sins against me. I thank you for revealing your righteousness apart from the Law. I thank you for giving me your perfect righteousness and holiness as a free gift.
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Confession
I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Satan can no longer condemn me for I died with Christ. I have already been condemned, judged and died when I accepted Jesus as my Savior. I resurrected with Christ forever free from sins condemnation and judgment. I am forever forgiven for all my sins.
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