107. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY LIFE AND IN MY CHURCH? - Jesus Christ, our shining example!

In the last three meditations, we have seen that our rebirth by God’s Spirit, His continuous presence in our lives, and the imperative to obey God’s Word [the Bible] are God’s preconditions for victory over the power of sin.

Since overcoming the power of sin in our lives and in our churches has everything to do with maturing in Christ-likeness, we need first and foremost to look at Jesus Christ and see how He encountered temptation and the power of sin.

Encountering temptation with obedience to God’s Word!

We find the first texts that relate Jesus’ confrontation with sin in Matthew 4:1-10, Mark 1:12 and Luke 4:1-12.  All three accounts start with the statement that God’s Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil. (Matthew 4:1, Mark 1:12 and Luke 4:1)

Why would God the Father hand His Son over to the crucible of temptation? The answer lies in God’s desire to test our hearts for obedience. See the following examples:

-- After God liberated His people from the bondage of Egypt, He led them into the desert and said to Moses: “Look, I'm going to rain down food from heaven for you. The people can go out each day and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether they will follow my instructions.” (Exodus 16:4*)

-- Before Moses died, he warned God’s people with the following words: “Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.” (Deuteronomy 8:2**)

-- The second book of Chronicles reports how God tested the heart of king Hezekiah (8^th century B.C.): “When ambassadors arrived from Babylon to ask about the remarkable events that had taken place in the land, God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart.” (2 Chronicles 32:31*)

-- God announces by His prophet Jeremiah (7^th century B.C.) that He will test the heart of His disobedient people: “See, I will melt them in a crucible and test them like metal.” (Jeremiah 9:7*)        

In the context of these and other verses, we understand why God wants to put His Son to the test to show that He is worthy to become God’s sinless sacrifice to carry the punishment for our sins. That’s why it was God’s Spirit who led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by Satan before He started His ministry. (Matthew 4:1)

Later on, the apostle Paul testifies: “God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:21*)

Jesus was tempted by Satan three times, and three times He responded by declaring: “It is written” (Matthew 4:4), “It is also written” (verse 7), “It is also written.” (verse 10) In other words, Jesus resisted all three temptations by professing his obedience to God’s Word.

Later during His ministry, Jesus revealed again His determination to obey God’s Word when He says: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34**)

Adam and Eve opened their hearts to Satan’s scheming and disobeyed God’s Word. Jesus confronts Satan with God’s Word and scolds him ferociously: “Away from me, Satan!” (Matthew 4:10**)    

When Peter wants to protect Jesus from the road to suffering (Matthew 16:21-22), Jesus recognises Satan’s scheming behind the scenes and rebukes him with the same words: “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23**)

Encountering evil with divine love and forgiveness!

Jesus taught the crowds: “Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew 5:44*)

From the Gospels, and especially from the report on His suffering caused by the desertion and betrayal of his friends and by the hostility of the Jewish leaders and the Roman soldiers, we know how Jesus demonstrated that divine love in practical ways:

-- In the Garden of Gethsemane, when Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, Jesus responds by calling Judas “Friend” (Matthew 26:50).

-- That same night in Gethsemane, Peter cut off the right ear of the high priest’s servant who had come as part of a crowd to seize Jesus. Jesus responds by healing the man’s ear. (Luke 22:49-51, John 18:10-11)

-- When Jesus was crucified between two criminals, He responded by praying: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34**)

-- Although all his friends deserted Him in the Garden of Gethsemane when He needed them most (Matthew 26:56, Mark 14:50), Jesus embraces them again after His resurrection (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20 and 21, Acts 1:1-8).

-- Even though Peter denied Him, in spite of his promise to remain faithful (Matthew 26:31-35 and 69-75, Mark 14:27-31 and 66-72, Luke 22:31-34 and 54-62, John 13:37-38 and 18:15—27), Jesus reinstates him as His disciple and friend (John 21:15-19).      

We might argue that Jesus was without sin anyway since He is the incarnated Son of God. Indeed, the New Testament clearly testifies to His sinless life. Here are some examples:

-- To the Jewish people who had believed in Him (John 8:31), Jesus said: “Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin?” (John 8:46*)

-- At the evening before His death, Jesus said to His disciples: “I don't have much more time to talk to you, because the prince of this world approaches. He has no power over me.” (John 14:30*)

-- Concerning Jesus’ guilt offering for our sins, the apostle Peter writes later to His fellow-believers: “He (God the Father) paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.” (1 Peter 1:19*)

-- Peter writes later in the same letter just why Jesus is our shining example: “Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps. He never sinned, and he never deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted. When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds!” (1 Peter 2:21-24*)

-- The apostle John reminds Christians of Jesus’ sinlessness when he writes: “You know that Jesus came to take away our sins, for there is no sin in him.” (1 John 3:5*)

-- The letter to the Hebrews exalts the risen Jesus, enthroned in heaven at the right hand of God the Father, as the ultimate high priest: “He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has now been set apart from sinners, and he has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.” (Hebrews 7:26*)

Yes indeed, the New Testament clearly testifies to Jesus’ sinless life on earth. Yet, we also read in the letter to the Hebrews about the frailness of His humanity: “While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could deliver him out of death. And God heard his prayers because of his reverence for God. So even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.” (Hebrews 5:7-8*)

We just read that the apostle Peter calls us to take Jesus as our example and follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). So, as we want to continue with our reflection on the question “How to overcome the power of sin in our lives and our churches”, let us keep focusing on Jesus as we learn to conquer sin!    

Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version

For more on ‘Jesus Christ’s divinity and humanity’, see Meditations 2, 3, 7 and 8.

For more on ‘sin’, see Meditations 102 and 103

For more on ‘Satan and temptation’, see Meditations 19 and 21.

106. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY LIFE AND IN MY CHURCH ? – Being determined to obey God’s Word is a precondition for victory over the power of sin.

In the Meditations 104 and 105, we saw that our rebirth by God’s Spirit and His continuous presence in our lives are God’s preconditions for victory over the power of sin.

However, there is a third precondition; that is the imperative to obey God’s Word, the Bible. The following texts speak of the origin of God’s Word and the way God wants to bless us through His Word when we obey it wholeheartedly.

Abraham (ca. 19^th century B.C.) is God’s prime example of trust and obedience. God promised to   bless all the nations on earth through Abraham, because he wholeheartedly obeyed His Word. God testifies: “I will do this because Abraham listened to me and obeyed all my requirements, commands, regulations, and laws.” (Genesis 26:5*)

Before his death (ca. 13^th century B.C.), Moses commanded God’s people to remain faithful to God’s Word: “You must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands [God’s Word] I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again. Tie them to your hands as a reminder, and wear them on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9*)

Nehemiah, cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia (5^th century B.C.), mentions the divine origin of the Holy Scriptures when he praises God, saying: “You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke to them from heaven. You gave them regulations and instructions that were just, and laws and commands that were true.” (Nehemiah 9:13*)

The Book of the Psalms starts with praising those who wholeheartedly commit themselves to studying and obeying God’s Word: “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his Law [His Word]. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3*)

Psalm 19 shows the benefit of being wholeheartedly committed to living God’s Word: “The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight to life. Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to those who hear them; there is great reward for those who obey them.” (Psalm 19:7-11*)

Psalm 119 is one long doxology in praise of God and His Word. In addition, the psalmist teaches how God’s Word can protect against disobedience to God: “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your Word and following its rules. ... I have hidden your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:9 and 11*)

John the Baptist testifies about Jesus and says of Him: “He is sent by God. He speaks God's words, for God's Spirit is upon him without measure or limit.” (John 3:34*)

Jesus urges us to obey God’s Word and forewarns us of the grave consequences of not doing so: “Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse, because it is built on rock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27*)

Obedience to God’s Word is very much a measure of the love we have for our Triune God. The evening before His death, Jesus explains to His disciples: “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.” (John 14:23-24**)

Furthermore, in his first letter, the apostle John makes clear that by obeying God’s Word wholeheartedly we grow in knowing God personally: “We know that we have come to know him [God] if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his Word, God's love is truly made complete in him.” (1 John 2:3-5**)

Jesus teaches that obeying God’s Word leads to everlasting life: “Jesus shouted to the crowds, ‘If you trust me, you are really trusting God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the darkness.

If anyone hears me and doesn't obey me, I am not his judge -- for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged at the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken.

I don't speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me gave me his own instructions as to what I should say. And I know his instructions lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say!’” (John 12:44-50*)

The apostle Paul reminds his young co-worker of the fact that God’s Word shows the way to salvation: “You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15*)

Moreover, Paul declares that God’s Word not only teaches us how to be saved, but also how to grow into a mature Christlike life: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17*)

In the last three meditations we have seen that our rebirth by God’s Spirit, His continuous presence in our lives, and the imperative to obey God’s Word [the Bible] are God’s preconditions for victory over the power of sin.

Well, I think it is high time to see how we can conquer the power of sin. That will be the theme of the upcoming meditations.

Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version

105. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY LIFE AND IN MY CHURCH ? – Having received God’s Spirit is a precondition for victory over the power of sin.

In Meditation 104, we read that rebirth is the work of God’s Spirit in our hearts. Therefore, there is no rebirth without God’s Spirit! Consequently, as rebirth is a precondition for victory over the power of sin, so is the presence of God’s Spirit in our lives.

About the link between God’s Spirit and our rebirth as children of God, the New Testament writes the following:

-- The apostle Paul assured the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (modern Turkey): “You also have heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he (God) identified you as his own [as his children] by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.” (Ephesians 1:13*)

-- Paul reminds the Christians in Rome: “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.” (Romans 8:16**)

-- Paul anticipates the glorious future of all God’s children when he writes to the Roman Christians: “Even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us.” (Romans 8:23*)

-- The apostle John explains this link between God’s Spirit and rebirth in his Gospel with the following words: “To all who believed him (Jesus) and accepted him, he gave the right (or: the power) to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan-- this rebirth comes from God.” (John 1:12-13*)

There is a most important notion in this Gospel message: Whoever welcomes Jesus as Saviour and Lord, will be reborn as God’s child by God’s Holy Spirit. “Whoever” means: it does not matter how old you are, where you have been and what you have done!

That’s why the apostle John declares: “To all who believed him (Jesus) and accepted him, he gave the right (or: the power) to become children of God.” That is the declaration of God’s love to everyone who suffers under the power of sin and realises the need for forgiveness and salvation.

The story of the criminal who was crucified with Jesus is a powerful illustration of God’s saving love even at the last moment of someone’s life. The evangelist Luke reports: “One of the criminals hanging beside Jesus scoffed, ‘So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself-- and us, too, while you're at it!’

But the other criminal protested, ‘Don't you fear God even when you are dying? We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done anything wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.’ And Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:39-43*)

Moreover, the images of ‘rebirth’ and ‘adoption’ send a powerful message to everyone who trusts Jesus for salvation. An historic event like human birth and adoption cannot be understated! The same is true for divine rebirth of adoption. Here are two examples of the eternal assurance of God’s salvation:

-- Using the metaphor of a shepherd and his flock, Jesus refers to this when He says: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no-one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30**)

-- The apostle Paul testifies to the Roman Christians: “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his [God’s] love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39*)

-- Paul assures his co-worker Timothy: “God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his...’” (2 Timothy 2:19a*)

Besides our rebirth by God’s Spirit and His continuous presence in our lives, there is a third precondition for victory over the power of sin. That is the imperative of obeying God’s Word, the Bible.         

We will look into this issue in the next meditation.       

Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version

For more on the Holy Spirit’s ministry, see Meditations 27 to 33 and 49 to 56.

104. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY LIFE AND IN MY CHURCH ? – Rebirth is a precondition for victory over the power of sin.

We finished Meditation 102 with the apostle Paul’s lament: “Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin?” (Romans 7:24*).

In Meditation 103 we found Paul’s answer to that question: “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 7:25*)

In that last meditation we saw how Jesus Christ, God the Son, humbled Himself in becoming a man and dying on the cross as God’s guilt offering for our disobedience to Him. Through his death He saved us not only from the bondage of sin and Satan, but also from God’s righteous anger and judgment. Jesus’ death granted us the pardon of our sins, reconciliation with God and eternal life. (see also Meditations 5 to 11, 18 to 27 and 38 to 43)

Indeed, our repentance and God’s pardon because of Jesus’ sacrifice is the first and foremost precondition for victory over the power of sin. However, there is more to say about this vast subject.

Honestly, I wonder how many Christians don’t ever grow into a deeper understanding of their new identity through Jesus’ death for them. And I think that is for this reason that many Christians keep struggling with their sins without every gaining victory over the power of sin in their lives.

Today many people, also Christians, might turn to the social sciences and their specialists for help. They might find themselves on the couch of psychologists, psychiatrists or all sorts of therapists and counsellors. Indeed, in this way deep-seated, psychological, behavioural and relational problems might be addressed and solved.

Yet, social science cannot give an answer to man’s core problem, his disrupted relationship with God which God’s Word [the Bible] calls ‘sin’. (see Meditation 102)

This disrupted relationship with God comes to light in man’s disobedience to God’s holy Law which Jesus summarises by saying: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets (the Old Testament) hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40**)

God’s Word shows that only Jesus, during His walk on earth, obeyed God’s holy Law completely and lived a sinless life. Only He lived in an impeccable relationship with God. Consequently, only Jesus lived a true human life in the image and likeness of God. (see Meditations 14 to 17)       

I think that only if the social sciences and its professionals could ‘produce’ Christlike, sinless people, they would prove to be capable of solving man’s root problem of ‘sin’.

God tells us in His Word that the solution for our ‘root problem’ consists of a restored relationship with Him! To make that possible, God the Son came to earth to reconcile us with God the Father through His death on the cross.

Yet, that is not the end of the story. It is only the beginning! Our reconciliation with God leads us into a new relationship with Him: a Father-Child relationship. The New Testament writes more often about that new and powerful identity:

-- In his gospel, the apostle John describes the start of this new relationship with God: “To all who believed him (Jesus Christ) and accepted him, he gave the right [or: the power] to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan-- this rebirth comes from God.” (John 1:12-13*)

-- Again, in his first letter John makes it clear how to become a child of God: “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God.” (1 John 5:1*)

-- Paul speaks about God’s everlasting love for His people when he writes to the Christians in Rome: “God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters.” (Romans 8:29*)

-- The apostle Paul writes to the followers of Jesus who lived in Galatia (former name for a region in Turkey): “You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26*)

-- The apostle Paul continues: “When the right time came, God sent his Son (Jesus), born of a woman, subject to the Law (as a Jew). God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the Law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” (Galatians 4:4-5*)

In Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus (modern Turkey), he speaks about our reconciled relationship with God and again uses the metaphor of ‘adoption’: “God’s unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.” (Ephesians 1:5*)

As we just saw, to become a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ, means that we need to be reborn by God’s Spirit and adopted in God’s family.

About the necessity of this rebirth by God’s Spirit, Jesus speaks to the Jewish rabbi Nicodemus: “‘I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God.’ ‘What do you mean?’ exclaimed Nicodemus. ‘How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?’

Jesus replied, ‘The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. So don't be surprised at my statement that you must be born again. Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit.’” (John 3:3-8*)

The apostle Peter addresses the followers of Jesus as being born again: “You have been born again. Your new life did not come from your earthly parents because the life they gave you will end in death. But this new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living Word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23*)

From these texts it is clear that rebirth is a precondition for victory over the power of sin. The apostle John writes: “Loving God means keeping his commandments, and really, that isn't difficult. For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. And the ones who win this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:3-5*)

We also read earlier that rebirth is the work of God’s Spirit in our hearts. Therefore, it is clear that having received God’s Spirit is another precondition for victory over the power of sin.

That will be the theme for the next meditation. So, hold on!

  

Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version

For more on ‘rebirth’ see Meditation 44.