Attempting to place the flesh under control, before accepting the gift of our sin already being covered by grace, while we are yet sinning, is impossible. Relying on ourselves to break chains of bondage simply doesn't work. Forgiveness of current sin through the gift of grace empowers the Spirit to aid in the conquering of sinful habits. Anyone who says they are in Christ should never hold themselves or any other individual to a level of expectation of religious perfection.
Romans 3:22-27 says,
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,
26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith.
26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith.
Christ died for us with full knowledge of the condition of our sinful nature. He knew that dying for us wouldn't stop us from sinning, but that it would cover us and make us perfect in God's eyes. He died for us while we were yet sinners. ALL sin separates us from God, period. ALL unforgiven sin leads us to eternal damnation. But once Jesus is accepted as Lord and Savior, WE.ARE.COVERED.BY.HIS.GRACE. End of story. Attempting to fulfill the law on our own unsuccessfully leads to a frustrating and angering walk. One that I believe Jesus has no desire for us to journey.
It's only after receiving His grace for sins past, current, and future, will the law begin to fulfill itself within our walk with Jesus, very naturally by His Spirit's gentle guidance.
Romans 5:8, "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
It's only after receiving His grace for sins past, current, and future, will the law begin to fulfill itself within our walk with Jesus, very naturally by His Spirit's gentle guidance.
Romans 5:8, "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
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