As a Christian Why Do I Still Sin?
The believer in Jesus Christ is a vessel of God’s mercy, according to God’s will (Rom 9:15–16, 18, 23). The Christian has been transferred from the domain of darkness (Col 1:13a), where he was a slave to sin and under the dominion of Satan (Acts 26:18; Rom 6:6) and into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Col 1:13b), the kingdom of marvelous light (1 Pet 2:9). This transfer was made to be a reality by the Person and work of Jesus Christ, who has made redemption by His precious blood, which brought the forgiveness of sins (Eph 1:7) to the one who is in Him, having been granted repentance and faith, by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit (1 Pet 1:2).
The requirements of the Law of God were satisfied by Jesus Christ, who is positioned at the right hand of the Father, presiding as King and Judge of all. Lawless sinners are atoned for by Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice of Himself on the cross. He came into the world to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21), and as a matter of fact, He saved us (Titus 3:5). Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are positioned in the righteousness of Christ before the Father (Rom 8:1).
Despite the unchanging legal right standing before God, as a forgiven sinner, it can be baffling to the new creature “in Christ” that sin remains an active influence and practice for those born again to new life. The false teaching and doctrine of perfectionism is rejected for the obvious reason that Christians do still sin against God.
Transformed from being a hater of God and Christ, as a natural man is at enmity with the judge he must face, the Christian is now a hater of sin because of the amazing love and mercy shown to him by his Judge, the righteous One, Jesus Christ. So why do we continue to offend the One who loved us and gave Himself for us?
The simple answer is that our bodies have not yet died. Death is the only way to stop sinning. Stated another way, one occupies a body of sin, sinful flesh. Death is one’s compensation for a life of sin (Rom 6:23). We earn death for our labors as sinners. We are not saved from death. In fact, it is appointed for all the sons of Adam to die and then comes the judgment (Heb 9:27).
Jesus Christ went to the place of judgment and paid the entire debt of sin for His beloved bride, His church, the Israel of God. After taking His place at the right hand of Majesty, He and the Father sent the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:26; 15:26) as a token of love poured out into the hearts of God’s elect, redeemed, and now adopted children.
Receiving the Good News of our pending full adoption, Christians remain in the unpleasant orphanage of this world, under the care and comfort of the Spirit of adoption, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of grace (Zech 12:10; Rom 8:15, 23). Our indwelling Helper is also our Teacher, who leads us and guides us in the ways of Christ, who is the way, the narrow path to God the Father (Jn 14:6).
The Christian awaits the appointed day of His going home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil 1:23). The world is increasingly burdensome to the child of light surrounded by darkness. A small community of light, Christ’s Spirit-filled embassy, His church is where the exile experiences the familiar familial customs of New Jerusalem.
Having been born of God outside his heavenly homeland, the child of God learns Christ and serves his King as an ambassador to the hostile world (2 Cor 5:20). His mission is to reconnaissance the unregenerate elect of God by being a light in the world via word and deed. The Christian shines for others to see the truth that set the captive sinner free (Jn 8:32).
Christians are not free to sin. May it never be! The fact remains that we do still sin because the flesh is weak despite the spirit being willing to obey. Children know the house rules, but the sin nature is still there in sinful flesh. The reign of grace has begun, however. This is exactly why the believer’s spirit is willing to obey, even in failure to do so. The Christian’s status does not change. Forgiven. Not guilty.
Sinning is hardly the pleasure it once was before conversion. When the child of God sins and grieves the Holy Spirit that child himself is grieved because he has offended Love Himself. Sin is loathsome to the one who wants to depart for his better country. The Christian is one who is repulsed by this world and by his own behavior in this world.
The Christian clings to the promise of a better body, a glorified one, conjoined with a glorified soul to be brought into union together on the day of resurrection to life, when Christ Jesus comes again in glory to judge the living and the dead. On that day, we will see Jesus, our God and Savior face to face, and we will be like Him.
As for today, we will serve the Lord despite the sins that entangle us, maybe not so easily as before, but nonetheless. Christian, be encouraged. Your fight against sin is inspired by the love of the One who conquered both sin and death at the cross. He loves you. He has both showed and told you so. Do not grow weary in doing good even when sin seems to prevail on particular days.
Christian remember that your victory is one of faith in the one who always leads you in His triumph. A day has been appointed for your going home, so be dressed in readiness to leave. Christ has gone to prepare a wonderful place for you and all who belong to Him. The day of sin will soon be over, and death will be no more. That day of celebration will never end.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 4, 2021
