What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? - Romans 6:1-2
I saw this clip on another blog relating it to the topic I wish to expound. While the clip is quite hilarious, there is a seriousness to it. The blog I found it on related the prescription given by Bob Newhart to "Stop it!" to God's declaration to the believer on dealing with sin. How is the believer to be in relationship to sin? We are to "Stop It!" Just as it was repeated within in the clip with every excuse or reasoning, so God's Word continually commands for us to stop sinning time after time.
Romans 6 declares that we are dead to sin because of our unity with Christ and His death burial and resurrection. Throughout the rest of the book of Romans, believers are directed to seek holiness of life and mind (12:1-2). In each of the epistles, Paul addresses the issue of sin and encourages the believer to be rid of it at all costs. In Colossians 3 we are told to put to death the members/desires of the flesh and to put off (completely leave behind) the old man and its desires. Not only is this a common theme found in Paul, but it is the constant reproof of our Lord. Jesus when encountering those living in open sin tells them to go and sin no more. It is interesting to see that the one being addressed does not turn to Jesus and begin to make excuses like "I cannot help it", "I am compelled to do it," or "it's just too hard." While those that encountered Jesus were left without excuse, most of us today pull out any excuse to try to justify or reason away our sins but we, just as those before us, are without excuse. If we are Spirit-filled, regenerated, justified, being sanctified, and awaiting to be glorified then we are completely without excuse before God and man when we sin. Sin is the very reason which Jesus died. This does not show forth a lacking on God's part but a tremendous fault on our part. It is our own unbelief of who God is, what He has done on our behalf, His promises for us and His sufficiency that breeds the temptations we encounter. Our idolatry for the false pleasures and treasures of this world exhausts our love for God causing us to be left with nothing to offer Him. When it comes down to it we must ask ourselves: What/Whom do I love the most? God or the things of this world? What am I trusting for what I need/desire? If we are not reading His Word, seeking His will through prayer and in constant submission (dying daily) then the war against sin will never be won. Psalm 119:11 says " I have stored your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Store up His Word, Seek His will and when it comes to sin just Stop It!
Romans 6 declares that we are dead to sin because of our unity with Christ and His death burial and resurrection. Throughout the rest of the book of Romans, believers are directed to seek holiness of life and mind (12:1-2). In each of the epistles, Paul addresses the issue of sin and encourages the believer to be rid of it at all costs. In Colossians 3 we are told to put to death the members/desires of the flesh and to put off (completely leave behind) the old man and its desires. Not only is this a common theme found in Paul, but it is the constant reproof of our Lord. Jesus when encountering those living in open sin tells them to go and sin no more. It is interesting to see that the one being addressed does not turn to Jesus and begin to make excuses like "I cannot help it", "I am compelled to do it," or "it's just too hard." While those that encountered Jesus were left without excuse, most of us today pull out any excuse to try to justify or reason away our sins but we, just as those before us, are without excuse. If we are Spirit-filled, regenerated, justified, being sanctified, and awaiting to be glorified then we are completely without excuse before God and man when we sin. Sin is the very reason which Jesus died. This does not show forth a lacking on God's part but a tremendous fault on our part. It is our own unbelief of who God is, what He has done on our behalf, His promises for us and His sufficiency that breeds the temptations we encounter. Our idolatry for the false pleasures and treasures of this world exhausts our love for God causing us to be left with nothing to offer Him. When it comes down to it we must ask ourselves: What/Whom do I love the most? God or the things of this world? What am I trusting for what I need/desire? If we are not reading His Word, seeking His will through prayer and in constant submission (dying daily) then the war against sin will never be won. Psalm 119:11 says " I have stored your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Store up His Word, Seek His will and when it comes to sin just Stop It!
