I would like to share a paper that I wrote concerning the issues of sin and sanctification. My ability to read Greek is practically nil, but from what I’ve heard, the word that is used for salvation has three tenses, I am saved, I am being saved, I shall be saved. Most preaching on the subject that I have heard does not discuss those three tenses.

 

The first person I heard discuss that concept (3 tenses), several years ago, was David W. Dyer of “A Grain of Wheat Ministries.” Mike Hales, another friend in Jesus mentioned this and also had this to say when commenting on a rough draft of this paper: “We have been delivered from the ‘law of sin and death’ into the ‘law of righteousness in the Spirit’ If I read John and Paul rightly, that means that we no longer habitually sin, as we are no longer under a law in our flesh that keeps us in bondage to sin. Do we still occasionally sin……yah……but in another scripture we have ‘one standing at the right hand of the Father, who makes intercession for us’ …..one who will forgive and cleanse if we will repent and ask forgiveness.”

 

Jon Zens of ST Magazine also had these comments: “In Romans 6 Paul states that the dominion of sin has been broken in the believer with the result that ‘sin will no longer lord it over you.’ In Romans 8 he proclaims that Christians are no longer debtors to live after the flesh. I see nowhere in the NT the concept of’ ‘sinning less’. It is more about the dynamic of growing in grace in order that sin is displaced. We need to keep before our eyes Paul’s agricultural image of ‘first fruits’ and then ‘harvest,’ drawn from the OT. Experiences we have in ‘this age’ are only ‘first fruits’ that await the full resurrection ‘harvest’ of the ‘age to come.’ The Lord has designed our days so that we never ‘have it all’ in this life. We live in ‘hope’ of the resurrection of the dead and a ‘new heaven & new earth.’ Then we will ‘see Him as He is,’ and the presence of sin along with all aspects of the curse will have passed away.”

 

Following are a few verses that suggest that just as salvation is by faith sanctification comes by faith or that it is actually the Lord through His Spirit who brings sanctification.

 

Colossians 2:6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,

 

Philippians 2:12-14 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, (13) for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (14) Do all things without grumbling or questioning,

 

John 6:28-29 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” (29) Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

 

John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

 

Lately I have been reading or listening to books or audios produced by the ministries of Chip Brogden, Ed Lacy and Michael Perl. While what I’m going to share is not in strict agreement with the teachings of these three Bible-teachers, their input has been very beneficial. For the most part they have confirmed much of what I already believed, although providing an increased depth of insight. I would like to thank Michael Perl for his wonderful illustration of God dealing with sin like the owner of car scrap yard rather than a mechanic. I couldn’t think of a better word picture, so will use it later in my paper.

 

Just prior to writing this paper, a friend made a statement about sin and sanctification during an e-mail. I was provided with much food for meditation and am thankful for that missive. That, and the fact that I just finished reading or listening to teachings by the three authors above, gave me cause to ponder this issue. Of course thinking about that brought to mind something that I believe which is contrary to many denominational doctrines.

 

This paper is a result of that reflection.

 

Specifically, one scriptural principle that that statement encouraged me to think about has to do with my concept of sin and sanctification. As far as forgiveness, I think of Martin Luther’s statement — which I am sure is not new to any of you — that “the just shall live by faith.” So there again, I believe, and so do many denominations, but not all, that we are forgiven and enter into the Kingdom only by faith in Jesus Christ. And that we do this as God draws us to Him through Jesus. However, if we mentally manipulate people into a confession of faith, rather than preaching a simple Gospel, and allow the Lord to do the work through His Spirit, we stand a large risk of making religious converts. Rather than allowing God to bring new brothers and sisters, who are not only ready to accept His gift of salvation, but honor Jesus as Lord, into His Kingdom, we often evangelize our way. My advice, to my brothers and sisters in Christ, is to keep things simple, and keep things scriptural, rather than using gimmicks and man-made techniques, even if they appear successful, and avoid trying to sell Jesus, like a vacuum cleaner salesman. If we are a top notch Jesus salesmen, rather than simple saints, chances are that we will become champions at getting confessions, but those converts will most likely bail out at the first hardship, or become religious people, who know about God, but do not know Him personally, as Savior and Lord.

 

Other elements are important, but it is belief in the salvation of Jesus Christ that is significant. Not belief plus baptism or plus tongues, or any other thing. The other things should come, but only as a byproduct of our relationship with Him. I hear many people, whether in homes or from pulpits, via radio, internet, books or television, talking about striving for victory over the old man. Romans 6 says that the old man has died in Christ and if we have been saved, then that old man was crucified. So we have a choice, to take the word of scripture and believe in faith what it says or to take the side of our experience or denominational preference and say that we have to keep fighting the old nature of sin. Much in the same manner that salvation is by faith in God’s grace, rather than works, I believe that sanctification is by faith in God’s grace as well — I think that works only come into play as a natural byproduct of our ongoing relationship with Him, but not as a personal work to obtain maturity, favor, or forgiveness.

 

That is, God wants us to become more and more like His Son Jesus (to mature), but on His terms and according to His timetable. We will work out our salvation as Paul says, but I think it is only as we submit to the work of grace that the Lord brings into our life, not according to our striving by our flesh and intellect. That is, not as something we do independently, along with faith, but more as a cooperative effort through our faith.

 

Abraham had some promises occur in his lifetime, but many promises were only obtained by his descendants — especially the coming of the Messiah. I think that much in the same way, we may obtain some victories over sin now, and eventually in this life, over most sin, but may have some areas that are not made perfect until we are raised from the dead to glorification. Even so, we should not sin more, that grace may abound. Paul said that, too.

 

Over the years I have read many teachings that have said victory over sin comes through works or works and faith. While many of the brothers and sisters who have penned such writings were probably well meaning saints, I do not agree with their statements concerning this issue. I believe that the old man is dead and that to the extent that we wrestle against one sin or many, even if we have some type of victory, that it will end up being a work of the flesh and eventually, when judged by the Lord, will end up being wood, hay and stubble. And during our life time, because we wrestle, rather than taking it to the Lord, that sin or sins may become an albatross around our necks! Although the Lord may also use this to break us, like a farmer plows fallow ground, except that the “plowing time” may last twenty years or more, if we are particularly resistant.

 

John wrote in one of his letters that there is a difference between sin and walking in sin. I think there is more scriptural evidence that we will sin than that we must become sinless.

 

That said, the more we allow the Lord to mature us, the less likely we will sin. We have been given a remedy. To confess and let God labor to do His work in us. Or we can follow the doctrines of men and try to clean ourselves up first, and then go to the Lord. I think that because we have a free will, that our new man, even though innocent as a baby is innocent, may still fall into sin, because we fall into sin, from time to time, but it does not give us sin immunity. We need to “present ourselves as a living sacrifice,” but not independently or “religiously!”

 

When Peter asked Jesus how many times that we should forgive a brother (I think it is safe to read in sister, too) that we should forgive them 7 x 70 times. That would be 490. That was actually a picturesque way for our Lord to say always forgive. So I am certain that Jesus wasn’t saying, “If John sins against you 490 times, forgive him, but if he sins one more time, after that, you have my permission to kick him in the gonads.” Based on that I would expect that whether we sin against a brother or sister or the Lord or both, if we have a sincere heart and ask for forgiveness the Lord will forgive us — whether we sin against Him, once, twice or 491 times in a day. That doesn’t mean that we have been given a license to sin — “may it never be” — but His grace is sufficient. Nor does it mean that we let people walk all over us either. Although Paul did say that it is better to be defrauded than take a brother or sister to court. And while I may be correct in saying that a certain person is “just religious,” or “unsaved” and not really a brother or sister, it is much safer to let God make that decision, rather than using it as a rationale to circumnavigate scripture so that I can get even or take revenge. We can forgive and get out of Dodge or take steps to protect ourselves or find a place of refuge if necessary. And while I must forgive I cannot demand that others forgive me.

 

I think the problem that we run into, is that if we have a weak area, or a besetting sin that has plagued us for a great length of time, that we may become ashamed, and either try to work through the issue independently or give up. I don’t think the Lord wants us to pray for strength to overcome that sin. He wants us to walk as over-comers. He wants to annihilate the sinful man, not fix us it up like a mechanic restores a Junker car. He wants to do the work. He wants us to have the confidence to believe in His finished work as we follow Him in simple faith. He wants to take that old car and scrap it, not remodel it.

 

I think that many well-meaning Christians step in front of the Lord and try to fix themselves or others, rather than simply praying, or waiting for God’s cue to lend assistance, and then “let go and let God!” He took out the old man and gave us a new man. God wants us to surrender sins or problems to Him every time, no matter how many times in a day they may occur. It may happen quickly, or over time, but I believe that if we surrender our sin, in faithful repentance to the Lord, rather than wrestle religiously, the time will come when the victory becomes ours, naturally and easily, rather than in a forced manner. What was once a temptation and a trap no longer affect us.

 

We may boldly and with great presumption claim this, that and every other verse in the scriptures, but if we are doing so independently of God’s Holy Spirit, in our time and in our way, true victory will be only skin-deep or frustratingly futile. That is, to tweak and paraphrase a well-known scripture: unless the Lord is building your house (you) and you are truly cooperating with Him, humbly and sincerely, any building you do is in vain. Contextually that last statement is not a direct interpretation of that scripture, but does provide a good point of comparison for understanding the spiritual principle I am talking about.

 

Whether it is a bad thought, a bad action, or both. Or trial and temptation. I think that if we walk in faith that we have the victory. As strange as it may sound, or even as heretical as this concept may seem, I believe that if we sin 491 times in a day, and sincerely repent we have the victory. If we sin only once and are too ashamed to repent or refuse to repent, then we have lost the victory. If we walk this area by faith, and avoid trying to work it out by our flesh and intellect, the Lord honors our faith. Not only are we forgiven, but the Lord arranges events in our days, by His grace, to begin taking down the strongholds in our lives that keep tripping us up. With some, certain areas show progress rather quickly, while for others, for whatever reason, that same sin or stronghold may prove resistant for a very long time. And while one sin may be tamed quite easily for one brother or sister, that same sin may prove very challenging to another man or woman in Christ. Yes we have to be willing to surrender these troubling blemishes, as often as necessary; but more importantly, except for that, much of the pressure is taken off us, and Christ Himself shoulders our burden! Think of the Foot Prints poster!

 

Anyway, I apologize if this sounds preachy, but it is meant to encourage you, not to condemn you or bring you down. What I am saying is that no matter how many issues you have in your life where you feel ashamed or hate things you have said or done, that Jesus is standing there, ready to forgive. Much like that famous picture of Jesus knocking at the door. More than that, there is nothing you can do about those things except hand them over to Him when you are ready. As many times as necessary on any given day. And if you have already repented with a sincere and humble heart, then it is a done deal — don’t let the enemy of our souls steal your peace and joy!

 

Don’t forget: forgiveness is instantaneous — healing may take a long time — maybe even a life time. But don’t be surprised if many victories are swift, if you have faith and submit yourself to Jesus, rather than follow the traditions of men, and wrestle with sin, independently or “religiously.” The more you try to conquer your sin, the more it will have victory over you and the longer it will have victory over you. The sooner that you submit each sin, in simple faith, and sincere repentance, as often as necessary, to the Lord, and allow Him to work in that area of your life, and take out the strongholds that enable that sin, rather than just “fix it,” the sooner and more powerfully that true victory will manifest.

 

 

Wayne O’Conner – 2/2010

 

Published in Kingdom Lessons available at Amazon.com in digital and paperback formats.

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