Liberated From The Lock-Up Of Lawlessness (Sin)
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16 (KJV)
For this weeks’ blog, I wanted us to consider a check-up from the neck up. And if our hearts are heavy I pray they are heavy with the hope of Heaven. For the most part, I naturally enjoy an environment of elevated optimism in my heart. I always advance the argument that the glass is half full as opposed to being half empty! Now for all my more pessimistic friends I am not promoting a proliferation of people that only present positive dispositions in public. I know that’s a lot of p-words but be patient with me. I am augmented with alliteration.
I want you to know that I am not disconnected from the perplexity and problems in this life! I am not exempt from experiencing disquieting emotions. I am also aware of the persistent problem like every other person in this life and that is the problem and presence of sin.
What does Scripture say?
“But the scripture hath concluded all under sin.” Galatians 3:22 (KJV)
“What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; as it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:9-10 (KJV)
The truth is that this fallen world will always forward dire and diverse difficulties. Subsequently, I am sure you have experienced and entertained a heart that echoed and embraced the following thoughts:
Why do I persist in practicing the things that are not permissible to God?
Why can’t I do anything right?
Why can’t I have victory over this horrendous habit?
I desperately desire change but I don’t know how!
I just got a case of the “I can’t help myself”!
What is wrong with me?
This list of positions is not in the slightest degree exhausted. However, they expose the egregious error as well as the weakness of our flesh. As believers, the Bible divinely details the failure of the flesh and its wanton weaknesses.
“also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.” Ecclesiastes 9:3b (KJV, emphasis added)
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 (KJV, emphasis added)
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.” Romans 7:18-21 (KJV, emphasis added)
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:7-8 (KJV, emphasis added)
Biblically speaking, the flesh is often connected to human weaknesses. In the Old Testament the flesh pointed to the wholeness of man’s earthly nature. The gravity of the Flesh is indeed formidable. We are all locked down in lawlessness. But praise be to the Most High God; we have a lofty liberator! And in His brilliance and blessed wisdom, Jesus Christ wore the weakness of flesh as His wardrobe but He walked in victory both in this world and the world to come!
Join me next time as we travel down this path of truth, turning the corner to the only One that opens the door of victory and freedom and obliterates the power that energizes the flesh.
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR