Struggling with Sin: Victory in Christ

So in the last post I talked about how we all struggle with sin and some reasons why I believe its important to share. So this time I thought I'd share about another aspect of dealing with sin, realising the victory we have because we are found in Christ Jesus. Paul says in Corinthians,

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15 v 56 & 57

God promises us through his word that, when we depend upon him he will give us the victory over sin. A lot of the time, christians walk around as if it is impossible for them to defeat their sin. In one sense, they are right! In our own strength, we are powerless to defeat sin. God knew this and, in his mercy, he sent Christ as fully God, fully man to pay the final sacrifice. Lots of people will stop there but we can go further. Christ payed the final sacrifice so that we may no longer fear sin but have victory in Christ over it. Jesus did not come just to free us from sin but to stand up and do battle with it in the knowledge that victory is sure for those who are found in him.

And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

Romans 8 : 2-4

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

1 John 4:4

When we really live these verses out in our daily lives, the change and effect is extraordinary. In realising these truths, we can stand strong against sin. As christians, yes we will still fall because we will never be perfect until we reach heaven but, if we keep reminding ourselves that we are no longer "Slaves to sin" but are now "bond-servants to God", our sin can become less frequent.

Victory in Christ is amazing when we realise it. Bear in mind that Satan does not want you to realise your victory in Christ because when we do, we realise how truly powerless he is over us. The one thing he can do to us as christians is weigh us down with our sin and cause us to stumble instead of living our lives for God. Realise your enemy, realise your sin and then realise that they need not have power over you because you serve a conquering king. To him be the glory.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6: 10-17