The more I meditate upon all the scriptures have to say about God’s expectations and aspirations concerning a believer coupled with God’s PROVISIONS for His earthly sons and daughters, the more ludicrous becomes the argument that a redeemed human possessing God’s fantastically POWERFUL Holy Spirit must definitely still continue to sin. Of course, most do not like to use that word “must”, preferring to say believers “will” continue to sin, not that they must sin, but that they definitely WILL sin. And I agree that in most cases, including my own, this is definitely true, but I find that with passing decade of my walk with the Lord those instances of disobedience become less and less and further and further apart in time.
One of the promised attributes, or blessings, of the coming Messiah was the assurance that “He will subdue our iniquities (sins)” (See Micah 7:19). “Subdue” is translated from the Hebrew kabash (pronounced kaw-BASH’), meaning “to conquer, to subjugate.” Not only would Christ FORGIVE our sins, He would CONQUER our sins. Jesus did not die merely to pay the penalty for our sins, but “gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from ALL iniquity” (See Titus 2:14).
Peter wrote, “Be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot (of sin), and blameless” (See 2 Peter 3:14). Why be urged to accomplish the impossible? Such verses are nonsense verses if through Christ sin cannot be conquered in the life of the fully surrendered believer. Paul wrote, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:57). Does God give us only a partial victory? Is that all God intended? When Jesus Christ died that humiliating and excruciatingly painful death on the cross did He know it was never intended to free us from our sins? Then why did He say, “If the Son therefore shall make you free (from sin), you shall be free indeed?” (See John 8:36). Why did He say, “Whosoever commits sin is the servant (slave) of sin?” (See John 8:34). Are YOU a slave of sin? Do you think slaves of sin will have a seat in the coming kingdom of God???
Was God mistaken in His assessment of Job when He pointed out to Satan that Job was morally perfect and avoided sin? (See Job 1:1, 8). If Job had sin in his life, why didn’t Satan challenge God’s observations and point out that sin? Before arriving at that continuously faithful spiritual walk Job undoubtedly had sinned many times as “ALL have sinned,” but GOD SAYS Job came to achieve a walk of continued obedience.
Paul urges believers to “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might” (See Ephesians 6:10). Is our Lord’s power and might so weak that we can’t stop sinning for more than a few hours, or days, at a time? Is the prayer, “Keep me from sinning” the one prayer God cannot or will not answer? Who would dare argue that incest, homosexuality, or stealing cannot be abandoned!
Paul cautions that the word of God, its liberating POWER, effectively works only in those who believe. (See I Thessalonians 2:13). For those who do not believe God can, or desires to, free us from sin, there really is no freedom from sin’s power. They do remain in bondage. “The word preached did not profit them (the sinners in Israel), not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest (from sin)” (See Hebrews 4:2-3). We MUST believe God intends that we cease sinning and that He has the power to prevent our sinning. If we do not believe that we will remain servants, or slaves, to sin. God’s repeated COMMAND to be obeyed NOW, in this life, is “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” (See I Peter 1:16). Jesus’ repeated COMMAND to forgiven sinners was, “Go, AND SIN NO MORE.” (See John 5:14 and John 8:11). It is either we believe the Bible, or we do not. Keep sinning, or stop!!! God help us all to understand.
Christ’s Aged Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley