'What....me sin?'
Submitted by Chris on March 6 2002 18:17:35
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Hello Everyone, Just recently Andy and I have been studying and disgussing the subject of sin in the life of the Christian and the possibility of perfection being achievable in this lifetime. I think we have hit upon some really good ideas and I would like to kind of bounce some of them around in here to see what all of you might think. I cannot write a long post but I think I will be able to get the basic ideas across. When I think about the subject of sin in the life of the Christian, I usually go to one of the best sources of information on this topic. That is the book of Romans, chapters 7, 8, and 9. But you know, I have read these passages over and over for years and yet I could never really feel like I knew exactly what Paul was driving at. His language is easy enough to understand but for some reason I always felt like I was missing something very important. I think now I can say that I finally have a pretty decent grasp of what he is saying. Let's see if you might agree. First look at chapter 7 of Romans, verses 7-13. I believe these have always been the most commonly quoted verses in referance to our struggle with sin. In this case, Paul speaks of his own struggle. He speaks of the law and how, although it is good, it produces death in him. This has always been where I would stop. I could understand his concept of death through the good law, but what he said next alays confused me until just recently. In Romans 7:15-16, Paul describes his battle with sin, "I do not understand what I do..." he says, just like I have said more times than I can count, probably just like we ALL have said more than we can count. That much is easy, but when you get to verse 17, then again in verses 20 through 25. What is he talking about here with tis idea that it is no longer he who does the sin but rather the sin living within him? It sounds like a riddle, right? Well, here is my conclusion in a nutshell. What Paul is referring to here is the fact that once we become a child of God, we actually DO become new creatures IN Him! That new creature is one which is sinless and blameless because God Himself has made it so, of course by the redemption of the Cross. However, because we are still living in these earthly bodies which are still in the process of death and decay brought about by sin in a fallen world, there still dwells within us the "old creature" that know's nothing BUT to sin because it is and always will be, a part of this world. And further, that part of us will NEVER be a part of God's Kingdom. So, what Paul is saying here is that he is free to identify with the new creature that he is and so is ALSO free to refuse to identify with the old , sinful creature that will be with him until he passes into the next life to be with God. Ideed....."it is the sin within me that does it" Romans 7:20. Anyway, I must go for now but please let me know what thoughts any of you might have on this, ok? I think this is really becoming a true "eye opener" for me right now. With Love in Christ Jesus, Chris |
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