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These Blogs are a journey of process, to gain some context it may help you if you go back and read my previous thoughts. I love you all and thank you for visiting.
Redefining Sin
We need to place sin in its place, for too long have we misunderstood it and fallen into the same lie that has robbed us from the presence of God at creation point.
In the old Testament, we have the Law, or commands that we have used as guidelines to living in a way that is acceptable to God.
The ten commandments, we all know them. For reference, please see, Exodus 20:1:17
These laws are what I would call behavioural requirements, but as we know through the coming of Christ, God knew that we could not live up to the standard, so He sent His son. The only one who could, Jesus. This established a new spiritual law, one of freedom, not captivity.
Galatians 3:23-24
Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
We needed a new covenant and with a new agreement comes a new definition of sin. Look carefully at this; It is the key to joining with Christ in a transformational relationship. It will change your view from becoming Holy and righteous, to, you have been made Holy and righteous.
The Old revelation of behavioural sin has been made obsolete.
Hebrews 8:13
In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
So, this leaves us in no man's land when it comes to sin. Let's look at what we know through the person of Christ; we know that he died for the sins of the world, not just those who believe.
1 John 2:2
He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
And it is important to follow on with the why He did this.
1 John 2:3
And by this, we know that we have come to know him if we keep his commandments.
He became our sin for two reasons, firstly to know Him. This is powerful because he did this so we could know and see his nature towards our rebellion in a state while we were still His enemies. He was trying to correct our view of him. And secondly, He came to help us keep His commandments. Well that’s confusing, didn’t Jesus make those old things obsolete?
Let us take a look at how Sin as it is defined in the new covenant.
1 John 3:4
Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
Making a practice of sinning is lawlessness, so although the old is obsolete there has been a new law established, so here is still a requirement to live up to. But if it is not behavioural then what it is? And why should we change? At this point I would like to make it clear that I am not condoning a lifestyle that does not replicate holiness, please read on I will explain myself.
John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
The new Law in Christ is Love. He takes us from, “you must do” to, “I have done, so you are” but this is only achieved in a relational context. Here’s the thing, we have made the appropriation of sin the salvation point, and I am afraid we may be wrong, the salvation point is and has always been relationship. We accept in faith that God is who He says he is. Shame is what stole this faith from us in the garden, and it is still what keeps us from His nature of today.
Romans 6:15-23
What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!
Let me say this; Grace is a licence for behavioural sin. But, due to the new covenant definition of sin (the law of love), we need to Love God; this transforms us, and our desires become His desires. God is not offended by our behavioural sin, but the fruit of knowing love transforms us from desiring sin to desiring love. We don’t change because we have to, we change because we have fallen in love. Similar to when you met that girl or that boy you are now married to, you wanted to become like them, and please them in every way. You didn’t have to it was just natural.
verse 16
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
If you don’t place sin in its correct context, you will be a slave to its definition; this will either make or break our connection with the father, hey don’t take my word for it. Spend some time soaking with Him; He loves to speak to you.
verse 17,
But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
We don’t become righteous, in relationship you are righteous.
verse 18 – 19
I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free regarding righteousness.
This is a statement that you should allow to wash over you today.
Verse 20-23
But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In conclusion, we need to set ourselves free from our pre-determined ideas on sin and separation, the idea that a father would create something in us as a default that separates us from Him is ludicrous. Sin is no longer a behavioural issue; it is a relational one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart! This will transform you until then you have mercy and grace through faith.
For more information and blogs please visit
www.residenceministries.com
Redefining Sin
We need to place sin in its place, for too long have we misunderstood it and fallen into the same lie that has robbed us from the presence of God at creation point.
In the old Testament, we have the Law, or commands that we have used as guidelines to living in a way that is acceptable to God.
The ten commandments, we all know them. For reference, please see, Exodus 20:1:17
These laws are what I would call behavioural requirements, but as we know through the coming of Christ, God knew that we could not live up to the standard, so He sent His son. The only one who could, Jesus. This established a new spiritual law, one of freedom, not captivity.
Galatians 3:23-24
Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
We needed a new covenant and with a new agreement comes a new definition of sin. Look carefully at this; It is the key to joining with Christ in a transformational relationship. It will change your view from becoming Holy and righteous, to, you have been made Holy and righteous.
The Old revelation of behavioural sin has been made obsolete.
Hebrews 8:13
In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
So, this leaves us in no man's land when it comes to sin. Let's look at what we know through the person of Christ; we know that he died for the sins of the world, not just those who believe.
1 John 2:2
He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
And it is important to follow on with the why He did this.
1 John 2:3
And by this, we know that we have come to know him if we keep his commandments.
He became our sin for two reasons, firstly to know Him. This is powerful because he did this so we could know and see his nature towards our rebellion in a state while we were still His enemies. He was trying to correct our view of him. And secondly, He came to help us keep His commandments. Well that’s confusing, didn’t Jesus make those old things obsolete?
Let us take a look at how Sin as it is defined in the new covenant.
1 John 3:4
Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
Making a practice of sinning is lawlessness, so although the old is obsolete there has been a new law established, so here is still a requirement to live up to. But if it is not behavioural then what it is? And why should we change? At this point I would like to make it clear that I am not condoning a lifestyle that does not replicate holiness, please read on I will explain myself.
John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
The new Law in Christ is Love. He takes us from, “you must do” to, “I have done, so you are” but this is only achieved in a relational context. Here’s the thing, we have made the appropriation of sin the salvation point, and I am afraid we may be wrong, the salvation point is and has always been relationship. We accept in faith that God is who He says he is. Shame is what stole this faith from us in the garden, and it is still what keeps us from His nature of today.
Romans 6:15-23
What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!
Let me say this; Grace is a licence for behavioural sin. But, due to the new covenant definition of sin (the law of love), we need to Love God; this transforms us, and our desires become His desires. God is not offended by our behavioural sin, but the fruit of knowing love transforms us from desiring sin to desiring love. We don’t change because we have to, we change because we have fallen in love. Similar to when you met that girl or that boy you are now married to, you wanted to become like them, and please them in every way. You didn’t have to it was just natural.
verse 16
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
If you don’t place sin in its correct context, you will be a slave to its definition; this will either make or break our connection with the father, hey don’t take my word for it. Spend some time soaking with Him; He loves to speak to you.
verse 17,
But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
We don’t become righteous, in relationship you are righteous.
verse 18 – 19
I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free regarding righteousness.
This is a statement that you should allow to wash over you today.
Verse 20-23
But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In conclusion, we need to set ourselves free from our pre-determined ideas on sin and separation, the idea that a father would create something in us as a default that separates us from Him is ludicrous. Sin is no longer a behavioural issue; it is a relational one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart! This will transform you until then you have mercy and grace through faith.
For more information and blogs please visit
www.residenceministries.com
