Righteousness By Faith and the 1888 General Conference
Leaving Sin Behind
We have already established that we are all sinners and that we cannot change ourselves. Any efforts we make will end up in failure. This is also true after we have accepted Christ. Even when we accept Christ as our personal savior, we still do not have the power by our own strength to deny sin. The only way for us to overcome sin is for us to die(in a manner of speaking). I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God
. Gal 2:20. We (the ones who are unable to not sin) must be put to death. And this happens when we accept Christ, And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Gal. 5:24. This death is not halfway, it is complete and all encompassing. This is also not a one time deal, every time we sin our flesh is coming back alive, which is why we must die daily
. 1 Cor. 15:31. With our flesh crucified, The Holy Spirit lives our lives in us. When we give ourselves to Jesus in faith every moment, we do not listen at all to the flesh which is enslaved to sin. Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Gal. 5:16. Do not be deceived. The only way we can be saved is if the Spirit is leading us and the flesh is dead completely. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live.
Rom. 8:13.
What we fail to realize is that God came not only to save us from the penalty of sin (which is death), but to save us from committing sins altogether while here on earth. Jesus gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.
Titus 2:14. He came to redeem us from committing sin here on earth, to purify His people. Salvation is not only about getting to heaven. It is also about being free from committing sin while here on earth. Jesus says Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin
. John 8:34. He came so that we can know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:32. Being free means that we no longer have to sin, but we can keep the commandments of God. So shall I keep Your law continually, Forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts.
Ps. 119:44-45. True liberty is only found when we keep God's law. This freedom comes from putting ourselves to death. Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.
Romans 6:6-7. Jesus came not to free us from keeping the law, but to free us from our slaveship to sin, which is breaking the law. He offers us life, and when we accept this gift He enables us to keep the law through His power living inside of us. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.
Matt. 19:17. This is done by faith; we must believe God will do it through us.
When we crucify our flesh and live in the Spirit, God gives us a new heart that enables us to keep every one of His commandments. Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.
Ezek. 11:19-20. When God gives us a new heart we are clean, not only in the record books but in our very lives. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
Ezek. 36:25-27. This is not just a bookkeeping transaction where God says we are forgiven, but nothing is changed in our lives. When He puts His Spirit in us, He enables us to actually be clean, and to be free from any particular sin. He does this by writing His law into our hearts and minds, so that we can keep them. I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts
Jer. 31:33. It has always been God's intention for us to keep all of His commandments. He never intended for His people to live halfway decent lives, or even almost perfect lives, but to have complete victory from sin. He has given us a way to achieve this victory, and expects us to take full advantage of it.
Because He has given us a path to freedom, He wants us to travel on it. Those who do not make every effort to put away sin will not be saved.Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil.
Isaiah 1:16.Wash your heart from wickedness, that you might be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you?
Jer. 4:14.The highway of the upright is to depart from evil.
Proverbs 16:17.
Take God seriously! He doesn't want you to sin. He wants us to listen to Him so much, He even offers to do it for us, Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.
Jer. 3:22. But God cannot force us to listen to Him. We must have faith that He will give us victory from any sin. Truly God is fair when He says there is really nothing more He can do for us short of sheer force. What more could have been done to My vineyard that I have not done in it?
Isaiah 5:4.
