Liberation From Sin

Liberation From Sin

According to popular opinion, it is impossible to become free from sin in this life. However, the Scriptures say, “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” Rom. 6:22. In this context, “having been set free from sin” means that we are set free from the power of sin. Sin no longer reigns over us. Rom. 6:12.

It is clearly evident that this sin, which we have inherited because of the fall, is present in our members, but we are not to obey its lusts. We become slaves of the one we obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of righteousness resulting in life and peace. We see that there are two forces in our mortal flesh. (I am referring here to the soul who is born again.) On the one hand, I have the indescribable riches of the “abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness”; but I also have “another law in my members.” Rom. 5:17 and 7:23.

I am the one who decides whom I will serve. It is a matter of my own will. I cannot avoid temptation, but I don’t have to obey it. Each one is tempted when he is drawn by his own lusts. James 1:14. The lust that draws us is the sin in our own flesh. However, there is this one little word: “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin.” James 1:15 [Emphasis added]. We have received power from God to overcome when we are tempted so that this “then” does not cause us to commit sin. Temptation can only cause us to commit sin if we give in to it. But this is no longer what we want to do. On the contrary, our mind and will is to serve God’s law. Rom. 7:25. But Paul says in the same verse that he serves the law of sin with his flesh. In other words, he is serving the law of God with his mind and, at the same time, he serves the law of sin with his flesh. What does this mean?

If we relate these verses to our everyday life, we will understand what they mean. Think of the most spiritual man you know. He strives with all his might to obey God, and he has achieved great things. Nevertheless, when you get to know him better, you will see many aspects of his life that are merely human and are in no way a result of the Holy Spirit and the new life. This God-fearing man does things that have their root in his flesh. Here we see that he serves the law of sin with his flesh, even though his whole mind is set on serving the law of God. What are these deeds that come from his flesh? The Scriptures give the answer: When he sees something in himself that is not the fruit of the Holy Spirit, he must put it to death—in other words, judge it—because it is the fruit of the “other law in his members.” Rom. 8:13.

For example, when a preacher, who is otherwise God-fearing, fills his newsletters with stories about his travels, it should be evident to everyone that his flesh is at work. Or when a preacher uses carnal weapons to get rid of people who contradict him, we understand that the flesh is at work. Certainly in both cases they may have had good intentions, but they were carried away by the law of sin in their members. Were such a preacher to judge the deeds of his body, he would gradually be saved from them. However, if those deeds are allowed to continue, stagnation will result. He will remain a babe in Christ, regardless of his age or the size of his congregation.

There are two kinds of liberation from sin. The first is liberation from the law of sin and death. Rom. 8:2. The second liberation is a process—a growth—whereby we are gradually liberated from the law of sin in our members. In Colossians 2:11 it is written that we have put off “the body of the sins of the flesh” (that body which committed sin and served sin) by the circumcision of Christ; this is the first liberation. The second liberation occurs gradually, as it is written in Philippians 3:7-16. This liberation is the process of being made perfect. Paul had not yet been perfected. He still served the law of sin with his flesh even though his mind was fully set to serve the law of God.

The fact is that the flesh is not, and cannot be, subject to the law of God. As long as the slightest trace of flesh remains in us, it will manifest itself in one way or another. For example: You always want pleasure and luxury; you always want to travel first class and stay in expensive hotels; you indulge yourself on collections from the poor. This is and always will be flesh; it must be judged if we want to live. For God is no respecter of persons.

What should we do? We must take heed to ourselves and consciously try to recognize anything that comes from our flesh. We must condemn it and change so that next time our actions are more perfect. Thus, we go from light to light and from strength to strength. Why are people so ignorant about God? It is because they nurture the flesh, the very veil that separates us from God. Tear down this flesh and the way to the Father will be opened. Most people like to pamper the flesh, so they prefer a preacher who does the same, because he will continue to protect the flesh. But is this what it means to serve before the veil (the flesh)? Is this what it means to serve at the altar of burnt offerings? No, this is serving as a priest for the people, not as a priest for God. Those who serve in this way receive their wages from the people, so that they can nourish their flesh in every situation.

This is the reason people become enemies of the cross and of the word of the cross. They want Christ, but at the same time they want to protect their flesh. They do not understand that the flesh and the Spirit are at war. Whoever desires to be a servant of the Spirit, will inevitably come into conflict with anyone who protects the flesh, no matter whose flesh it is. Whether the flesh is sophisticated or uncouth means nothing to God. On the cross with it! It is cursed! Since in Christ Jesus only a new creation avails anything, we know we are on the right side and in the ministry of the Spirit when we draw the Sword against all flesh that has a form of godliness and leads people astray. Those who have received a ministry to serve in the sanctuary will bear the guilt for all sin against the sanctuary and against their own priesthood. Num. 18:1.

We see people who continue year after year to manifest the same deeds of the body, because they have not put them to death by the Spirit. This explains why old preachers and so-called leaders can remain babes in Christ. They speak as children, they write as children and they do childish things in their own congregations. They are utterly unable to lead their congregation to the Head, Christ. In other words, they never come to a deeper life and are never saved from what Paul calls the other law in our members. These same people openly admit that they aren’t even aware of such a law. How then can they possibly be saved from it?