We are to “put off concerning the former conversation (Old English, meaning conduct, behavior) the old man (the old sinful nature, the former “you”), which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and TRUE holiness” (See Ephesians 4:22-24).
Note that after God, or after God’s likeness, we are in the process of being created in righteousness and TRUE holiness, not mock holiness, not make-believe or pretend holiness, or some kind of pseudo-holiness, but TRUE, that is real, genuine holiness wrought in us by God through His powerful Holy Spirit. And this is accomplished by and through divine grace, the grace of God. And his grace is effusive, or, as Peter writes, “manifold” (See I Peter 4:10). If “the spirit that dwells in us lusts”, or leads us to some act of sin in some manner, then “He (God) gives more grace” to overcome and conquer that lust. (See James 4:5-6). Whatever our problem, frailty, shortcoming, tendency to sin may be, God will more than match that downward pull with the upward lift of His POWERFUL HOLY SPIRIT, so that we NEVER need fall prey to that – whatever it is – again. Please believe that for it is so.
Most seem to understand that the grace of God provides for the forgiving of our sins, but few grasp THE FACT that the grace of God provides for the CONQUERING of our sins, also, and is intended to DELIVER us from sin – to free us from sin’s bondage IN THE HERE AND NOW!!! In fact, Jesus Christ’s present day function as High Priest of God is to accomplish this tremendous goal for each and every believer. Our Lord will maintain that office “till we ALL come…unto a perfect (spiritually complete, holy) man (individual – male or female), unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” – yes, to that degree, until we all measure up to the very character of Jesus Christ! (See Ephesians 4:13 once again). This is the will of God that has been thwarted by the blinding power of Satan in the lives of the overwhelming majority of Christians of the present era. Most believers do not even have a clue that this is the clearly stated will of God for every single individual son and daughter of God! “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON that He (Jesus Christ) might be (merely) the firstborn AMONG MANY BRETHREN” (See Romans 8:29). Jesus is “the forerunner”, trail blazer, so to speak, to show us the way. (See Hebrews 6:20).
And “we have not a High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points (in all areas) tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto THE THRONE OF GRACE that we may obtain mercy, and find GRACE to help (to help us keep from sinning) in time of need” (See Hebrews 4:15-16). All too many see that passage as speaking of our obtaining forgiveness from God AFTER we sin, but look at it more closely in context, the passage actually speaks of our obtaining merciful help and POWER from our Lord to avoid sinning whenever a temptation arises that would draw us into sin!!! We are to boldly believe our Mighty God can keep us from any and ALL sin!!!
Even under the heaviest temptation we need not sin, for “there has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful (providing us a great High Priest capable of pouring out the Holy Spirit) who will not suffer (allow or permit) you to be tempted above that (or, what) ye are able (to endure), but will with the temptation (at that exact same moment in time) also make a (God-made) way of escape (hence, a perfect escape route) that ye may be able to bear it (bear the temptation without sinning).” (I Corinthians 10:13). Think on these things, believer!
Christ’s Aged Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley