Romans 8:3-4, NLT: “The Law of Moses was unable to save because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So, God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. v.4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.”
What the Word is Saying
The Law of Moses pointed out what was sin and what to do if sin occurred. IT did not offer a solution to the problem of sin. It only pointed out how helpless we are in our mortal bodies to stop doing it. This is not to say that everyone commits every sin, rather it is saying that we all commit sin and need forgiveness for it. The Torah (first five books of the Old Testament) outlined the pattern of confession, sacrifice, and ritual to atone for sin. However, as I stated this did not provide victory over sin.
Sin is a chain around our necks that keeps us in bondage to it. Our physical bodies are bound to it. Nevertheless, the Father provided a way to overcome that sin by sending His only Son to this world. He is and was a mortal man in the flesh. He was put in the same circumstances that we are in with our bondage to sin. The difference between us and Him is that He was able to overcome this tendency and lived a sinless life. Therefore, when He died on the cross, He was guiltless and not deserving of death for His deeds. It is this very sinless life that He lived that provided the payment for our sins. Because He did this, we can look to Him to provide our payment for the wages of sin. An additional benefit to this is the Power of the Holy Spirit now living within us.
The Power of the Holy Spirit gives us victory over sin in our mortal bodies. We do not have to wait for death to have the ability to overcome sin. Rather, we can by the power of the Holy Spirit experience total victory over it. I think it is important to point out that although the victory is immediate, the removal of sin our life is incremental. God in His wisdom goes about the process of stripping away the layers in our lives that are not in step with His will. He points out to us through the Holy Spirit what those things are in our lives that are contrary to His ways and will. Then gives us the power to overcome them. I think it is also significant to say that He changes our hearts in the process. Once we seek forgiveness, He changes our desires for those things. It is remarkable how easy it becomes to resist those temptations once He has done His work in your heart. It must also be pointed out that His Spirit quickens our hearts to the sin as it rises up again against us. Pointing out how we are being tempted by it and then giving us the ability to resist it.
If you have not given your life to Jesus let me implore you to do so now. The bible says “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved” (Romans 10:9-10, NLT). Therefore, pray this prayer aloud now, right where you are: “Jesus, I believe you are Lord and I believe that you died on a cross, and God raised you from the dead”. If you prayed this prayer, please respond to this blog and someone will contact you. Also, I encourage you to pray and ask the Lord to show you where you should attend a church. There may be someone you know that is a believer, someone who can lead you to a place where God can grow you in your newfound faith. The church will provide you a place of encouragement, teaching, and support in your walk with Jesus. It goes without saying the road is easier when you have others traveling with you.
Thank you for allowing me to give you my perspective and attempt to teach on “What the Word is Saying!”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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