“21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Romans 7:21-23
The laws…those vain methods sincerely given by those who truly love the Lord to overcome sin actually put us into captivity of sin. Our inward man which delights in the “good” represented by these methods; wars against our members. We WANT to do what is good and right but time and time again, we fail.
Why?
Because our faith is in the ability to keep said laws (methods) and the laws bring us into captivity of sin. Our sin nature has dominion because we are not operating under the Government of Grace. It is entirely possible for the Believer to make the Cross of Christ of no effect when our faith is placed in another way to live for God.
“17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
18 For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are Saved it is the Power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:17-18
Are we Saved? If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and your faith remains in Him and Him ALONE (not water baptism, church membership, etc.), YES!! Those who have believed upon the Name of Christ Jesus, Who He is and what He has done for whosoever will believe are Saved to the uttermost. No one can pluck us out of His Hand as long as our faith is in Him for our Salvation.
Does that necessarily mean we are operating under the Government of Grace? NO! It is entirely possible for the born again Believer to operate under the Government of Law and be Saved. Sadly, the problem is they are miserably Saved because they remain under the condemnation of the law. 40 days of purpose, 21 days of fasting, 100 days of blessing and all of the other vain philosophies being taught has Biblical doctrine have swept the church to and fro and brought them into captivity of sin.
No longer does the modern church hate sin but have instead embraced sin…otherwise, they would have no members. As a matter of fact, the modern church has made it a law to not hate sin. If someone comes in and says something about sin, they are quickly declared a legalist and not accepted by the fold.
The Law of Grace demands faith in the One Who afforded us Grace, namely Jesus Christ and Him crucified. God’s Grace is what gives us dominion over sin; not our self effort, intellects, talents or abilities. When our faith is placed in the Cross of Christ for all that we need for life and living THIS side of Glory, and I’m speaking here of Sanctification, the Holy Spirit superintends the work of God in our hearts and produces fruit unto God. The Holy Spirit does not work within the parameters of the law…any law.
“For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the Law of Sin and Death.” Romans 8:2
Faith in Jesus as the Source and His Cross as the means by which we are FREE from the Law and Sin and Death, is the ONLY way we are made free and when we are made free by the Blood of Christ Jesus from the power of sin, we are free indeed to the glory of God! A peculiar people, set apart because we believed the simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. No more warring with our members. No more being brought into bondage by laws which seemed good and right. By Grace through Faith, we are made more and more into the image of the Lord. The Holy Spirit is fully capable of doing that which He is commissioned to do. It is His Power which isolates the sin nature within us because it will constantly quicken us to laws if so allowed.
The urgency of the Power of God being in the Cross of Christ and Him alone in these last of the last days is monumental. God’s People must hear this message and humble ourselves before the Lord. When the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified crosses your path, it will draw you to point of a decision. Believe God or please man? Your first love stands at the door knocking. Jesus Christ and Him crucified; He is THE WAY, THEY TRUTH and THE LIFE…be determined to know nothing else among you.
-Donna Clark Warren
Living in The Spirit 