IN GOD’S EYES WE ARE SANCTIFIED (PART 2) – WHY DO WE STILL STRUGGLE AGAINST TEMPTATION?

Dear Members in Christ,                                                                                                                   

In God’s eyes we are sanctified (Part 2) – Why do we still struggle against temptation?   

In the last article, we dealt with the doctrine of positional sanctification. Once a Christian comes to the knowledge of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ, and trusts in the salvation grace offered in the atonement accomplished by Christ Jesus on the cross, the person is saved. The person is positionally righteous and found to be sanctified before God on account of the finished work of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Thus, the Bible teaches us and it is explained in the epistle to the Romans,

“For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Romans 5:17, 18

As for the sinner, the righteousness of the perfect, sinless Lamb of God is imputed upon him, and now, he receives the “abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness”. Also, for the sinner, death and eternal punishment has been averted and therefore it is said, “by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” This is a clear teaching and it is easily understood, even by children in Sunday School. Yet we have to answer another question which is often asked, and that is, “If the sinner is positionally righteous before God, why do we as Christians still engage in a fierce battle against sin? And why do believers have to battle daily, moment by moment, against the onslaught of the adversary? If the Word of God promises us victory over the world why do Christians sometimes lose the battle and fall into sin?” These are deep and profound questions, and the Bible gives us the answer in the experience of the Apostle Paul in what we know as practical sanctification.

A. The constant battle and the struggle against the flesh

The Apostle Paul sums up the battle against sin and temptation and he sheds light on the workings of the flesh against the spiritual man. This is part of the process of practical sanctification and Paul describes it as,

“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.”  Romans 7:14, 15    

The Apostle Paul explains that the law is spiritual, it is good in that it points the sinner to know what is good and right before God. Therefore the Apostle Paul writes, “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Romans 7:12. The law is given by God for the good of man, and spiritual person will bow in obedience to God’s law.

However, the Apostle Paul also adds, “I am carnal, sold under sin.” Romans 7:14b. This is not to be mistaken as an excuse for carnal behavior as some liberal scholars assert. They use this verse as an excuse to live a carnal and sinful life, by pointing a finger at Paul and saying, look even the Apostle Paul confesses to being carnal. The meaning of the word translated as “carnal” is “sarkikos” meaning temporal, fleshly, referring to the physical body. What the Apostle Paul is trying to convey is that while he is in this body of flesh, he is still subject to the weakness of the flesh.

Therefore, in this body of flesh, the spiritual battle for the Christian is constant and raging, “for what I would, that do I not”. Have you noticed how often as a Christian we have good intentions for service and devotion and yet we fail to carry it out? Or the contrary is true i.e. “what I hate, that do I”. For when a Christian resolves not to lie or swear or sin, yet he or she can easily fall into the temptation and sin in word or deed. The answer to victory is given by Paul, when he says,

“I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” Romans 7:25

Beloved, thank God for the Lord Jesus who enables us to serve God and obey His law.

B. The solution – yielding to the Holy Spirit

But what does the Apostle Paul mean when he says with the mind I serve the law of God and yet with the body the law of sin. The word “law” in verse 25 refers to an operating principle. Therefore what Paul means is that the battle is meant to be constant as long as we are in this flesh. He writes, “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Romans 7:23.

The flesh is weak, and thus prone to temptations and the allurement of this world. But we who are in Christ Jesus are not helpless against sin. On the contrary, the Bible assures us of victory against the adversary, the Tempter. The solution is to yield, to submit to God’s Holy Spirit that indwells us.  

“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? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Romans 6:16-18

Brothers and sisters, let us not yield ourselves to sin and temptation. Rather we should by the help of God’s Holy Spirit yield, submit ourselves as servants of righteousness, shunning sin, and living righteously for God. May the Lord strengthen us to live and to serve Him.

In Christ,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor