Q. Why is it so difficult to live the Christian life? I try and try but can never seem to be free from sin.
A. Our sinful nature, the world, and the Devil make it difficult to live a godly life. Paul tells us in Galatians 5:17, ‘For the flesh (sinful nature) sets its desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you wish.’ Simply put, our sinful nature fights against the godly desires that we have and prevents perfection.
With perfection/holiness being impossible, we must have access to some other source of holiness. Why? Scripture tells us that we must be holy as God is holy. Holiness is a prerequisite for entrance into Heaven. God tells us that no one who is sinful will enter there. This presents an enormous problem. If we can never achieve perfection, then how can we ever hope to enter the joys of Heaven? The answer is found in Jesus Christ.
Paul puts it this way in Philippians 3:8, 9, ‘. . .I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.’ Two things are outlined clearly in this passage. First, we do not have a righteousness (perfection/holiness) of our own. It is impossible for us to produce righteousness in our own lives. Second, God gives righteousness to us as a gift based on His grace and our faith.
I encourage you to rest in the perfection of Jesus Christ. His holiness was given to you as a gift when you were saved. He took your sins upon Himself, paid for their penalty and gave you His perfection. God accepts you because of Jesus’ perfection.
As a Christian, you are a work in progress. The Spirit of God is transforming you. You long for righteousness. You hate sin. You anticipate the day that you will be freed from the sinful nature and receive glorification, never again to struggle with sin.
Doug Richey, Pastor-Teacher
Copyright 2008, Doug Richey
112 Pisgah Drive, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024, USA
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