Faith

Don't Allow Sin to Reign

by Curt Klingeman
06/30/24
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Missing Information

How many times would you have done things differently, if you had all the facts? How many individuals are missing opportunities and blessings, because they lack the awareness of their existence? How many people are not living life the way God intended, because they lack knowledge? To be fair, we all probably fall under this category to various degrees. Of course, God has given us the grace, or ability to change. It is one thing to be ignorant due to lack of knowledge; it’s quite another to be willingly ignorant.
The way we live life is primarily predicated on our knowledge and beliefs. Change requires strength and courage, because it often means swimming against the tide, and entering into unfamiliar territory. It might mean living the life of a contrarian. When you ask God for the revelation of His knowledge, wisdom and spiritual understanding, don’t be surprised if His revelation contradicts what you believed to be true. It’s been known to happen from time to time. Moreover, it may contradict teachings of those whom you deeply respect.
Rest assured, no one has the corner market on revelation. If Holy Spirit reveals something new to you, He has revealed it to others as well. By the way, revelation is simply bringing to light an already existing truth. It might be new to you, but it has always existed. Part of learning is the willingness to learn, and of course, change. Let’s take a look at one example: power over sin.

Sin Does Not Have Power Over the Believer

Romans 6:12-14 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
If we are told to not allow sin to reign in our mortal bodies, so that we obey its lusts, how could it truly have dominion over us. Verse 14 clearly states, “Sin shall not have dominion over you.” The NASB says it this way: “For sin shall not be master over you.” God’s grace is the ability to what we could not do in our own power, and that is a very important distinction to make. No one in their right mind could honestly say, I overcame sin by my own strength.
Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness (see also verse 22).
Since we have been freed from sin, we are no longer its slaves. It is important to emphasize that this is written in the past tense, which means it has already been accomplished. As Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30)! On the Cross, Jesus defeated sin for us, and His grace enables us to say no to it. As a result, we became servants of righteousness. Our new nature is righteous and holy.
Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Our Part in the Equation

1 John 3:5-6 And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him.
Our part of the equation is abiding in Jesus Christ. It has not been, nor will it ever be about our effort! The temptation might be to ask, “Are you saying, you don’t sin.” That question takes the eyes off of Jesus, and focuses on self-effort, or more appropriately, dead works.
Abiding in Jesus begins with believing on His name. In His name is the authority, power and ability to walk righteously. That belief includes absolute trust in His name alone. Love holds us in place.
1 John 3:23-24 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment. And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us.
Another aspect of abiding in Jesus is our attention is on righteousness, which makes sin a non-consideration. In other words, if you center on submitting to Him, you will not yield yourself to sin.
Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
To yield means to present, as in, “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). In other words, to Whom or what you present yourself will be Whom or what you serve. It’s about submission. Again, if you busy serving God, you will not be serving sin. If you focus on doing things with excellence, you’re not trying avoid mistakes or failure. Different mindset.
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God (NASB).

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