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FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE
JESUS DIED
so that you may,
LIVE YOUR LIFE FREE FROM SIN Is it possible for us as Christians to live our lives completely free from sin? I know that we have all sinned at one time or another in our lifetime. The Bible makes it perfectly clear that all have fallen short of the glory of God, but what I want to assure every believer is that:
“It is possible, after we have accepted Jesus as our personal Savior, to live our lives totally and completely free from any and all sin.”
Everyone may have his or her own opinion on this subject. However, I am not interested in opinions. I am only interested in what the Bible has to say.
Jesus said in Mark 9:23,
"If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes."
First let’s qualify what is meant by the phrase “all things”. I think that it would be safe to assume that most Christians would agree that anything that is God’s "will" could be placed in the category of “all things”.
Therefore, if it is God’s WILL for us to stop sinning, then it would seem logical to put the phrase “living your life free from sin” in place of the phrase “all things”. After making the substitution, this is how the scripture now reads, “If you can believe, then living your life free from sin is possible to him the BELIEVES." For some Christians this one scripture would be enough biblical evidence to start living a sin free life, and that would be great.
However, using only scripture does not give us an adequate foundation for sound doctrine. The word of God also says in 2nd Corinthians 13:1 that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses let everything be established. In other words you cannot make a valid statement of faith based only upon one scripture. You need two, or more scriptures to support your point of view, and establish a sound biblical doctrine. Also there must be no direct contradiction with the rest of the Bible.
So secondly let’s look at Philippians 4:13 which says,
" I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. "
The same procedure may also be applied to this scripture that we just did in Mark 9:23. Here is what we have when we put the phrase “live my life free from sin” in place of the phrase “all things”,
“I can live my life free from sin THROUGH Christ who strengthens me”.
The word “Christ” here simply means anointed. So when we see Jesus Christ, or Christ Jesus written in the Bible it would be helpful for us to translate the word “Christ” as “anointed”, or “the anointed one” in our minds. Hence, Jesus Christ would be, Jesus the anointed, and Christ Jesus would be, the anointed one Jesus. It now becomes apparently clear to us that it is the ANOINTING of God that strengthens us and enables us to live our lives free from sin.
Keep this in mind as we now read from the third witness found in Mark 10:26,27, which says,
" Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them says, With men it is impossible, but not WITH God: for WITH God all things are possible."
The word “saved” here is SOZO in the Greek, and means to save, to deliver, to protect, to heal, to preserve, and to be made whole. So let’s use the definition delivered in place of saved and read Mark 10:26 a second time. “Who then can be delivered from a life of sin?” Jesus answers in verse 27 and I again paraphrase,
“With natural human strength it is impossible, but NOT WITH God’s anointing: for WITH God’s anointing living your life totally free from sin is possible”.
Now that we have looked at three witnesses, that is to say, three different scriptures, that clearly show that it is POSSIBLE to live our lives totally free from any and all sin, all that is left to do is to determine whether or not it is God’s WILL for us NOT to sin or to stop sinning.
Let’s begin with 1st John 3:8 that reads,
“He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might DESTROY the works of the devil”.
It is crystal clear from this scripture as well as many other scriptures that sin is one of the works of the devil. And it was for this VERY purpose that Jesus came into the world as the Son of man to destroy sin.
The word “destroy” here means to ruin completely so that restoration is impossible. In other words Jesus came to totally eradicate sin from our lives, even to the point that it would be impossible for sin to creep back into our lives. The word destroy also means to do away with, get rid of, to put an end to, render useless, to defeat completely. Jesus came to do away with, get rid of, and put an end to sin in our lives so that the restoration thereof would be impossible.
In other words, Jesus came to put an end to sin in our lives, to set us completely free from sin. The Bible clearly tells us in Romans 6:14 that sin SHALL NOT have dominion over us. Satan is no longer our god. The blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ our Lord, has DESTROYED every last bit of rule or influence that he once had over us. Satan may still be the god of this world, but praise be to God,
(1 John 4:4)
“Greater is he (Almighty God) that is in me than he that is in the world”.
Now go to 1st John 5:1 that tells us
“Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ (the ANOINTED one) is born of God.”
Skipping down to verse 4 and 5 we see that
“For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even OUR FAITH. Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
Remember Satan is the god of this world, and if you are born of God that makes you an overcomer of Satan, and therefore an over comer of sin as well.
The word of God says in James 4:7 to
“Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Resist the temptation to sin and the temptation will flee from you.
This is a written guarantee from Almighty God who cannot lie.
I want you to consider this next statement very carefully. If you have successfully resisted the temptation to sin, any temptation whatsoever, no matter how big or how small, even just one time in your life, even if you gave into this same temptation at a latter time, then I want you to know that you are able to resist any and all temptations at all times in your life. Yes it is POSSIBLE for you to live a life totally free from ALL sin simply by resisting sin one temptation at a time. Jesus said don’t take thought for tomorrow for sufficient is today. In other words don’t worry about the temptations that may or may not come down the road, but deal only with the one you are faced with at the present time.
The Bible assures us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that
“God will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able,(able to what? Able to resist and overcome) but will with the temptation make a way of escape, that you are able to bear it.”
So if you say that the temptation that you are faced with is to great and that you just can’t resist it, then you are being deceived. Therefore in essence you are calling God a liar. You are in doubt and unbelief, and everything that is not of faith is sin. Now I know that is not your intention, but that is, in fact, what you are doing when you give into the temptation to sin. You are not submitting yourself unto God, but rather unto man. The carnal man, our fleshly nature, that says we are only human and subject to failure, but God says be ye Holy for I am Holy. Let God be true and every man a liar.
Look at 1st Peter 4:1,
“Forasmuch then as Christ (the ANOINTED one) has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the SAME mind for he that suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.”
Think about that for a moment. As long as you are resisting the temptation to sin, and not yielding, that is giving into the temptation, but rather SUFFERING through the temptaion, then you are not sinning. In other words while, or at the time, you are suffering the temptation you have ceased from sin. You see the temptation is not sin. It is when you yield to the temptation that it becomes sin. Think about that the next time that you are being tempted. It is a time of suffering, but God is WITH you to strengthen you, IF so be that the Holy Spirit of Almighty God DWELL IN you, so resit the devil and do no give into sin and the temptation WILL FLEE from you. You have God's word on it!
Remember that 1st John 3:8 says, that if we commit sin, then we are of the devil.
Romans 6:16 says it like this,
“Know you not, that to whom you yield yourself to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey, whether of sin unto death or of obedience to righteousness?”
It all comes down to a choice. It is that simple! Are you going to yield yourself to what tempts you, or are you going to obey the word of God and live your life free from sin? One definition of yield means to give up, surrender, to be overcome. When you give into sin, in reality you are being overcome by the enemy, Satan.
Now it is definitely not God’s WILL for you to be overcome by the Devil.
The word of God says in Romans 8:31,
“If God be for us who can be against us?”
The Devil cannot succeed against you, because God is for you. It is your choice! Resist! And the temptation WILL flee from you.
Look at Romans 8:9,12 for a moment.
“But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, IF so be that the Spirit of God dwell IN you.”
Now skip to verse 12.
“Therefore brethren we are debtors NOT to the flesh to live after the flesh.”
Notice that this scripture says that we indeed are debtors, but we are not debtors to the flesh, but rather to the Spirit of God.
Let’s look at this scripture from some other translations. The Living Bible says it this way,
“So dear brothers you have no obligation whatever to your sinful nature to do what it begs you to do.”
Are you seeing it yet? It is your choice! You are under no obligation to sin. The New English Version reads,
“It follows, my friends, that our lower nature (the flesh) has no claim upon us; we are NOT obligated to live on that level.”
Our flesh is our lower nature, and our spirits, which are born of God, ought to be ruling and reigning over our flesh. This is where we are debtors. God is not going to make your spirit take dominion over your flesh. This is something you are going to have to do with the help of the Holy Spirit. Verse 13 goes on to say,
“For if you live after the flesh, you shall die, but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.”
This is a serious matter that is not to be taken lightly.
Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death. We need to wake up to the fact that when we are being tempted that it is a LIFE and DEATH decision that we are making. Every time you give into temptation you are literally slipping back into Satan’s dominion and you are running the risk of being forever separated from God.
God’s word clearly declares in the book of Deuteronomy 30:19,
"I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore CHOOSE life, that you and your seed may live."
Again I say unto you, it is your choice. Choose life. You can live a sin free life, IF you CHOOSE to do so.
Now let’s look at 2nd Peter 1:10, which is my favorite scripture dealing with living a life free from sin. The last portion of this verse says,
“For IF you do these things you shall never fall.”
The word “never” here in the Greek means not at all, anymore, by no means, in no case, in any wise, at any time, never. And the word “fall” here in the Greek means to trip, that is to err, to sin, to fail of salvation, to offend, stumble, fall. So if words mean anything at all, then this verse of scripture is literally saying, and I paraphrase,
“FOR IF YOU DO THESE THINGS YOU SHALL NEVER, BY NO MEANS IN NO CASE, IN ANY WAY, AT ANY TIME SIN, NO, NOT AT ALL, ANY MORE, NEVER AGAIN, ERR OR FAIL OF SALVATION, STUMBLE, FALL, OR OFFEND IN ANY MANNER!"
Yes you CAN live your life totally and completely free from any and all sin! This scripture alone should be enough to compel us never to sin again. However, we must do something first IF YOU DO THESE THINGS you shall never fall (sin). What things? Back up to verse 3 of 2nd Peter chapter 1.
“According as his divine power has given unto us ALL THINGS that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us unto glory and virtue."
Notice here that we have been given ALL things, that is everything we need, to live a godly life FREE from all sin.
Now continue with verse 4,
“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: THAT BY THESE you might be partakers of the DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
In other words, having escaped SIN by the promises in God’s word. If you can BELIEVE, all things are possible. Without FAITH it is impossible to please God. You must FIRST believe you can live your life free from sin before it will ever become possible for you to do so. Jesus said be you perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect, and God the Father said be you holy for I am holy. (Matthew 5:48, 1st Peter 1:16)
We can be partakers of the divine nature and be holy even as our Father in heaven is holy, but first we must believe that it is possible. Move on to verses 5-9.
"And beside this, GIVING ALL DILIGENCE add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity."
Webster defines diligence as preserving, painstaking effort, to be assiduous, which means to be constant and unceasingly persistent. In other words we need to have some tenacity when doing these things that we might attain a sin free life. It is going to take a FIGHT of FAITH.
If we are diligently focusing on doing these things, then there would be no room left for temptation. But if by chance, temptation does creep in, then we also need to be diligent in resisting the devil.
1st Peter 5: 8-10 says,
“Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have SUFFERED awhile make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.”
The word “steadfast” in the Greek means solid, stable, strong, sure. It also means fixed, unchanging, unwavering, and firmly loyal. In other words, you have to make a QUALITY DECISION not to sin and be steadfast in that decision.
James 1:8 tells us that a double minded is unstable in all his ways. Settle it in your heart once and for all that you are no longer going to let your lower nature rule over you BEFORE the temptation to sin comes your way. God's word tells us to "Let the redeemed say so!" Say, “ I am not going to sin, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Satan, sin is no longer an option; you can forget about it. Satan, you are wasting your time trying to tempt me!” Then when temptation comes say, “ I am not giving into this temptation, or any other temptation, for it is written, sin shall NOT have dominion over me.”
Are you getting the picture? When you begin to develop this type of mindset against sin, then God will strengthen you, establish you, settle you, and make you perfect. Yes, you will suffer temptation from time to time, but you don’t have to give into it. Remember to be downright stubborn when resisting sin and you will never fall (SIN). The word “resist” means to keep from giving in or enjoying. Do you love the pleasures of sin more than God? If you give into what tempts you then you are really saying yes, “ I do love sin more than God.” DON’T GIVE INTO WHAT TEMPTS YOU!
Hebrews 10:4 says,
“You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”
Remember that Jesus’ sweat was, “as great drops of blood” when he was agonizing in prayer resisting sin. Later, Jesus shed his blood on the cross being obedient unto death, again resisting the sin of not obeying God's will.
1st Peter 2:21-23 says,
“For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps WHO DID NO SIN, neither was guile found in his mouth.”
We are to follow the example that Jesus left us, and that is to live our lives without sin. That is what being a Christian means, to be Christ like. Jesus lived without sin and we are to do the same! We are to be LIKE CHRIST!
Your mind may be saying to you, “Oh, but that was Jesus.” If you are like me, then you have heard more than once that Jesus is the only one to ever lived a sinless life. And I will be the first to admit that this statement is true. However, it has left us with the unbiblical impression that we are only human, and we are going to sin from time to time. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus was in all points tempted as we are, YET WITHOUT SIN.
So here is the question, “Was Jesus able to live his life free from sin, BECAUSE:
1. He was God?
2. He was the Son of God? Or
3. He was the Son of man anointed with the Holy Ghost?
In order to answer these questions with a sound biblical foundation a great deal of space is needed, therefore I set this question apart as a study all its own entitled, "JESUS THE SON OF MAN.” In this study we will dig deep into God's word to give you the reader a strong and unshakable Biblical foundation of the human nature of Jesus while he was on the earth. Coming to the knowledge of this truth in the word of God will empower you to live your life free from sin just as Jesus lived his life free from sin, because you will know without a doubt that Jesus was a man in the flesh just as you and I, and therefore had no special advantange over us.
As proverbs 18 says, Please read the ENTIRE matter before you draw a conclusion for it is folly to a man that answers a matter before he hears the entirety of the WHOLE matter.
Yours in Christ Jesus forever, Mark QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS The purpose of these questions is to help you grow spiritually in the Lord, there are no (quote) “RIGHT or WRONG” (unquote) answers!My only desire is for you to answer these questions sincerely, out of a pure heart. Writing down the answers will help you retain them in your memory, and help you to grow spiritually.Thank you for desiring the sincere milk of the word of God that you may grow thereby. (1Peter 2:2)Please check one, and feel free to comment or ask questions.Q. 1. Do you desire to grow spiritually and be in God’s will? A. YES _____ NOT SURE _____ NO _____ COMMENT _________________________ _____________________________________________________________. Q. 2. Do you believe that it is possible for you to live your life free from sin? A. YES _____ NOT SURE _____ NO _____ COMMENT ________________________ ___________________________________________________________. Q. 3. Do you believe that the Bible is God’s word, and that it is the truth? A. YES _____ NOT SURE _____ NO _____ COMMENT __________________________ _____________________________________________________________. Q. 4. Do you believe that it is God’s will for you to stop sinning? A. YES _____ NOT SURE _____ NO _____ COMMENT ___________________________ _____________________________________________________________. Q. 5. Do you desire to be free from sin? A. YES _____ NOT SURE _____NO _____ COMMENT ___________________________ _____________________________________________________________. Q. 6. Do you believe that God is able to help you to live a sin free life, but are not sure how to accomplish thistask? A. YES _____ NOT SURE _____ NO _____ COMMENT __________________________ _____________________________________________________________. Q. 7. Do you desire to know how to accomplish this goal of living your life free from sin? A. YES _____ NOT SURE _____ NO _____ COMMENT __________________________ _____________________________________________________________. Please answer the following questions by filling in the blanks, checking true or false, giving the scripture reference. And as always your comments and questions are desired. Where is the scripture found that says that if you believe, then all things are possible to them that believe? 2. What is the first thing you need to do before you can begin living you life free from sin? _____________________________________________________________.Satan is the god of this world, and as long as you are in this world Satan has dominion over you? TRUE _____ FALSE _____ GIVE SCRIPTURE REFERENCE __________________________.Where does it say in the Bible that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses let everything be established? __________________________________________________________. What do the words “ NEVER FALL” mean in 2 Peter 1:10? _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________. What does the Greek word “SOZO” mean? _________________ ____________________________________________________________. What does 1 Peter 2:21-23 say that the example is that Jesus left for us to follow? ________________________________ _____________________________________________________________. 8. We are made over comers of the world by simply being a child of God? TRUE _____ FALSE _____ SCRIPTURE REFERENCE ________________________________.What does 1 John 3:8 say was the purpose or reason that Jesus came into the world to accomplish?_________________ ____________________________________________________________.What is the second step you need to apply in order to over come sin? ________________________________________.You cannot attain living your life free from sin without help of the _________ ____________.The Bible teaches that living your life free from sin is conditional. List at least 9 things that you must do to NEVER SIN again: ______________, ______________, ______________, ______________, ______________, _____________, ______________, ______________, ______________.When you give into the temptation to sin you are showing that you love sin more than you love God? TRUE _____ FALSE _____ SCRIPTURE REFERENCE _____________________________.What scripture (______________) tells us that Jesus was tempted in all points as we are, yet ____________ _______. .COMMENTS: |