Victory Over Sin?

Many sincere Christians today are struggling to get "victory over sin." They have a sincere desire for holy living and want to please God. However, they are ignoring the fact that God has a plan for sanctification that goes across the grain of all of man's doctrines and practices.

Sanctification is the blood-bought possession of every child of God. It is not something we earn, but like justification, it is already ours. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians:

"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

So we see that Christ has become our sanctification in the same way that he became our righteousness.

Now, what do we do? Do we struggle? Try harder? Fast? Pray harder? Go to deliverance meetings? No! A.E. Knoch said many years ago: "Deliverance from sin comes, not through victory over it, but through death to it. It is useless to struggle against sin, or to fight with its practices. Rather we should acknowledge its force and reckon ourselves as dead through it and to it, yet alive in resurrection, where sin has no place."

If we read very carefully in Romans, we will find God's way of holiness.

In Romans 6:1-10, Paul uses words like: "Know," "Knowing this" etc. Paul logically describes our position as crucified, buried and risen with Christ. We are totally identified with Christ. His relationship to sin is our relationship to sin. His relationship to God is our relationship to God. Ponder this. We already died to sin in Christ's death. I can hear someone object and say: "But Dan, I still sin!" That is irrelevant! You are dead to sin no matter what your practice tells you. Paul is describing your position, not your practice.

In Romans 6:11 Paul tells us to "reckon." To reckon means "to count something as true." Since Paul gave you the facts in verses 1-10, he now tells you to reckon those facts true. That means, though your experience tells you otherwise, you are to reckon yourself dead indeed unto sin because you are identified with Christ. And not only that, but we also reckon ourselves alive unto God in Christ Jesus our Lord. That is, though your experience tells you otherwise, you live before God in the same relationship to Him as His Son. Remember, this has nothing to do with your experience. But once we start thinking God's thoughts on the subject, we will enjoy true liberty.

In Romans 6:12-14 we are thinking the way God thinks, we are prepared for practical sanctification. Because we already are dead to sin in Christ's death, and alive unto God in Christ Jesus our Lord, we can present our bodies to him. How do we present our bodies to Him? "As if" we are alive from the dead. In other words, though your experience tells you otherwise, you are to present your bodies "as if" you are alive with Christ and dead to sin.

You see, the real key to holiness is your mind. We need to start thinking God's thoughts regarding our position in relation to sin, and in relation to God. Please, prayerfully read for yourself, Romans 6:1-14, and start enjoying "newness of life." You are already free!