God does not hold grudges. He is not resentful towards us. He is just in His justness. His nature is righteousness. In our fallen nature and unregenerate mind, we apply our finite carnality to His omniscience and omnipotence. We attempt to apply our nature to His. This distorts our perspective of His will towards man.
So, what if I “sin” as a Christian?
In Christ, we are even forgiven prior to the actual act of sinning. So, I can sin and be forgiven? If you do you will be miserable once you have tasted the goodness of God there is no comparison. Read Romans 6.
Peter says, 2 Pet. 2:22,
Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,”*and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”
Jesus says in Rev. 3:15, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
If our liberty is used as an occasion to the flesh corruption is left, Gal. 6:8. One is also left with one’s own self-judgment. In the goodness of God and His mercy, the Father sent His only Son to die for our sins. He could have turned us into fruit flies, but instead became a man like us, talked to us, lived with us and loved us and still loves us. His name shall be called Emmanuel, Matt. 1:23. If He does not condemn me then why should I condemn myself? Paul did not even judge himself, 1 Cor. 4:3. Christ’s love does not keep record of wrongs. So, walking in self-judgment or self-condemnation is not walking in His love, truth or our true nature and identity.
2 Corinthians 5:17,
“Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
We are immersed into Christ at salvation. Jesus talks of two foundations houses are built on in Luke 6:47-49.
If we are immersed into Christ and taught only a small portion of another small portion of the riches we have in Christ, and are told that our Christian lives are based on what we expect of ourselves we are doomed for perpetual failure, no lasting transformation, no victory, no peace and great spiritual depravity and hunger.
No wonder I keep remembering is a good blog reference regarding works and why we can get caught up in them.
If my spiritual walk is based on a ‘self-imposed law’ in my heart then I will rebuild a pseudo-spiritual walk built on my performance, Col. 2:18, 23. In the act of performing, I am demonstrating and proving to myself I can’t do it. I can’t keep the law. This one of the purposes of the law which is to show you YOU can’t do it.
So, why am I slowing killing myself walking a thin line? I believe it is happening because ANOTHER gospel has been preached. This OTHER gospel will put you under a curse and make you work for everything in your life and never be satisfied. Paul speaks of “another gospel” to Corinth and Galatia. In the epistle to the Galatians, he says this OTHER gospel bewitches you like a snake looking at a bird ready to consume. This is also akin to, “Who has charmed you or who has put a spell on you?”
What is next then if this is true? How do I get rid of this other gospel? DO NOTHING.
There is nothing you or I can do to make ourselves anymore righteous. Do not try to do nothing. Just do nothing. Jesus said, “He who has ears let him hear.” If you think I’m crazy I am okay with that, but this is sound doctrine. Paul said, “We are fools for Christ yet you are so wise.” Why?
In Luke 12:27, was Jesus really concerned if we were going to have provision for clothing? Or was He also saying something else?
“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”
We are clothed in His righteousness, Rev. 19:8, 1 Cor. 1:30.
In Him, by His will and grace, through His faith in us not our works are we able to put on Christ, Rom. 13:14, Gal. 3:27, Eph. 4:24. The new man is made by revelation of God’s only Son.
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