“¹⁰ For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them.

¹¹ But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” Galatians 3:10-11

The Mosaic Law, being righteous and holy, was given to show mankind our condition.  Akin to going 55 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone shows us we are speeding, so does thou shalt not steal show us we are a thief if we steal.  Laws, both Mosaic and man made, are a curse to those who break them.

To be sure, one is not a thief because they steal but they steal because they are a thief.  On an even  broader scale, one’s condition, whatever that condition may be (pornographer, fornicator, drunk, smoker, etc.) is not the result of their action but their action is the result of their condition.  Denying the action doesn’t set one free from the reality of their condition.

There is only one answer to the change in condition and that is the Cross of Christ.  The Holy Spirit is not commissioned to superintend the vain philosophies of man which point to our self efforts, talent, will power or intellect for victory over our condition.

To be clear, I’m speaking here to Believers, those who are justified by Grace through faith…not just unbelievers.  The majority of Believers have never been taught how to live for God by grace through faith alone but have been given man made methods which appeal to the lusts of the flesh.  This leaven, the vain philosophies, produces pride which will always and without fail lead to unbelief. “Well bless God, I believe!” No friend…no you don’t if you believe personal merit (self will, intellect, talent, prayer shawls, feasts, festivals, yamakas, etc.) is an acceptable way to change your condition.  Doing 50 sit ups may change the condition of our physical body but it won’t change our spiritual condition.

“⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:6-7

Sin is directed against God.  When the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified is perverted there is poison in the pot.  This poison leads to death under the guise of sincerity and good intentions.  It first leavens and puffs up producing pride then pride leads to unbelief in the power of the Cross of Christ to change the spiritual condition of the born again Believer by Grace through faith.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under Grace.” Romans 6:14

Grace gives us dominion over sin.  The power of sin is broken by Grace through faith because the Holy Spirit is commissioned to circumcise our hearts.  Precept upon precept and line upon line, old things pass away and all things become new.  The change in our condition is not because of some rule or law given but because of the Hand of God in our heart and in our lives working in us a new creature.

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18

Those 12 steps to recovery, promise keepers and 40 days can’t change our condition.  Fasting for 21 days, reading our Bible in a year, water baptism or communion can not change our condition.  Although some may be Scriptural, they were not given to overcome sin.  Let us not forget, the devil knows the Bible too and he will use it to deceive the sincerest of Believers. The atoning work of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross is the only answer given to man for victory over the penalty and the power of sin.  The will to do good may indeed be present but the power to do that which is good is only found by Grace through faith.

“There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12

Sacraments and personal merit seem right to overcome the sin that so easily besets us.  It is the worldly system of which we are familiar…but it’s not God’s Way.  God’s Way is Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Be determined to know nothing else among you.

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18

-Donna Clark Warren