Knowing this, that our old humanity was crucified together with Him, that the body of sin might be nullified, for us by no means to be still slaving for sin, for one who dies has been justified from sin. Now if we died together with Christ, we believe that we shall live together with Him also, having perceived that Christ, having been roused from among the dead, is no longer dying. Death is lording it over Him no longer, for in that He died, He died to sin once for all time, yet in that He is living, He is living to God. Thus you also, be reckoning yourselves to be dead, indeed, to sin, yet living to God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Romans 6: 6-11, Concordant New Testament
I heard radio pastor Chuck Swindoll the other night attempt to wrap his understanding around the words of Paul we find in Romans 6. I say that he attempted to understand only because I do not believe that he sees the whole reality of what Paul was trying to relate. As far as this pastor is concerned, Christians are no longer under the power of sin, period. THAT, in essence, was what Paul was trying to say. Really? Now, I've been having my own ventures into the verses of Romans 6 lately with a friend of mine who grew up in the Eastern Orthodox church. To him, sin still remains a huge issue. Despite the fact that Jesus died to cleanse us of all sin, that He literally became sin that we would be free of it {2 Corinthians 5:21}. I see Chuck Swindoll's attempt at explaining Paul's words as the latest attempt by Christian pastors to deal with the monster in the closet. That monster being the reality, or what we think is the reality, of sin. I have a question for the doubters out there...have you ever known God to be a Indian giver? Have you ever known Him to break His word? So, if we're told that God would send a Savior who would forgive people of their sins {1 John 1:9}, should we not take Him as His word? Knowing that Jesus has therefore cleansed us from all sin, what else remains for Him to forgive? Does the monster in the closet still haunt you? Perhaps you, like my friend, understand that we live in a fallen world surrounded by sins. Therefore, you simply cannot understand how it is that you can live in this world without carrying the stains of your past with you. Yes, Jesus died to forgive your sins, but what about the sins of the rest of the world? Everywhere you turn, it seems that monster in the closet lurks waiting for you.
Who rouses Him from among the dead, you also being dead to the offenses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He vivifies us together jointly with Him, dealing graciously with all our offenses, erasing the handwriting of the decrees against us, which was hostile to us, and has taken it away out of the midst, nailing it to the cross, stripping of the sovereignties and authorities, with boldness He makes a show of them, triumphing over them in it.
Colossians 2: 13-15, Concordant New Testament
Every time that I hear a pastor regurgitate the evils of some sin we seem to have I think of it. That phrase I heard an author quote not so long ago. How many times do we need to crucify Jesus? Huh? Well, it is has been well documented in the scriptures that sin requires a sacrifice in order to be erased. At the cross, Jesus gave Himself as that sacrifice that we would be free of our sins. Clear so far? Now, along comes Mr. Sunday morning pastor who claims that we need to seek the Lords forgiveness for our sins. Excuse me? Did Jesus miss a few sins as He hung on that cross? When he whispered "It is finished," was He lying? Honestly, I trust the word of the Lord before I trust any pastor. The Lord tells me that Jesus bled and died to forgive me of my sins, and that is what I believe. It is never my intention to bash the mainstream church, but they make it so easy at times. When God tells us that Jesus forgave our sins...that's it. There is no smoking gun we need to find to disprove that. God said it, I believe it! For those who continue to believe that there is a sin monster in the closet I have but one question. Do you trust what God tells you?
~Scott~
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