“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1-2
It is the sinful nature of man that desires not to do the will of God: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:7-8
When a person is truly saved: “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Romans 8:9 To have been born again, makes one a dual creature, i.e., “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:6
These two natures are at conflict with each other: “…for the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17 The flesh prevents the Christian from being sinlessly perfect; and the Spirit of God within prevents a Christian from being sold out to sin.
When God saves a sinner, He not only gives them a new creature within by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, but He also sets the sinner free, to where they are no longer held as a servant to sin: “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Romans 6:17-18
Also, God chastens His own children: “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” Hebrews 12:6-8
For a person to claim to be saved, and yet continue to live in sin, is the best evidence that they are not really saved, just deceived. All whom God saves become what His salvation produces. Let no man deceive himself. Salvation involves repentance, i.e., turning from sin, unto God. Thus, there is no mind to continue in sin that grace may abound, but to be saved from sin.
SHARING
