Friday, May 24, 2024

What Sin?

 




Knowing this, that our old humanity was crucified together with Him, that the body of sin may 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 be living 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. 

Paul to the Romans 6: 6 - 11, Concordant New Testament 


A good friend told me some time ago something encouraging.  That when we come before the Lord seeking forgiveness for whatever sin we may be feeling guilty over, we might be surprised by the Fathers response.  That response being, "What sin?"  Yes, God may inquire of us what sin we are feeling so guilty over.  See, in the Fathers eyes, whatever sin we might continue to be struggling with has long ago been accounted for by Christ Jesus on the cross.  The mainstream church is famous for preaching the doctrine of "Sin management" to the world.  But, if there is no sin, can there even be sin management?  To speak to the existence of sin is to deny the work of Jesus at the cross.  I get that many well meaning Christians will not agree with or accept this, but it's true.  For what did Jesus give Himself on the cross for?  Jesus paid that sin debt which was for all intents and purposes was intended for us {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  We are the ones who sinned {Paul to the Romans 3:23}.  Jesus is Gods response to that sin {John 3: 16-17}.  Jesus was not dispatched into the world to condemn us for our sins, but that the world would be saved THROUGH HIM.  The scriptural evidence that Jesus nailed sin to that cross is overwhelming, yet many people continue to struggle with the guilt and shame of their perceived misdeeds.  Many people worry day and night if God will ever forgive them.  Not only has the Father forgiven us through His Son, He seeks to assure us of this through the words of the apostles.  To struggle with sin is to subject ourselves to the pain of not being sure if God even cares.  That's no way to live.  It was never the Fathers desire for His children to live a life of condemnation.  This is not living free in Christ.  


Everyone who is remaining in Him is not sinning.  Everyone who is sinning sees Him not, neither knows Him. 

First Epistle of John 3: 6, Concordant New Testament 


Do you know Christ in your life?  Have you seen Jesus in you?  If not then you might need a reset.  Paul speaks to the indwelling Christ in his letter to the Galatians {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  Most believers are not aware that they live now in union with Jesus and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  This isn't something special only reserved for the righteous.  This is the truth of our lives in Christ today!  The reason that so many people remain unaware of this truth is due to the existence of the dual gospels.  One spoken and preached by the mainstream church and the other spoken through the apostle Paul.  For all intents and purposes, we have competing messages being spoken concerning Jesus.  One of His birth and crucifixion and the other of our life in Him today.  Something I always tell a few good friends of this second gospel is that we are battling thousands of years of mainstream church theology.  This explains why the truth of the indwelling Christ spoken by Paul is seldom preached in the pulpits of the mainstream church.  Of course, this does not invalidate the words of Paul simply because the church chooses not to accept it.  But there's more to this.  If we agree that Christ Jesus was crucified on the cross for the redemption of sins, then we also must agree that this only occurred ONCE.  Paul reiterates this point in Romans {Paul to the Romans 6:10}.  Jesus HAS died for the forgiveness of sins.  Jesus HAS paid that debt in full.  What sin has the death of Jesus left uncovered?  


When, then, Jesus took the vinegar, He said, "It is accomplished!"  And reclining His head, He gives up His spirit.

Johns Account 19: 30, Concordant New Testament 


~Scott~  



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