Therefore, Do Not Let Sin Reign

Therefore, Do Not Let Sin Reign

“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.” In other words, sin is there. We have a flesh with lusts and desires. 1 John 1:8. That is why we can come into all kinds of temptations; but in James 1:2-4 we read that we are to count it all joy. A temptation is a trial of our faith, and we know that it results in patience. This is a very glorious message for those who hate sin. We also read, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh . . . but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Rom. 8:12-13.

We read “therefore.” Why? Because this opportunity and this redemption have been brought to us by God through Jesus. This is the gospel of God. Rom. 1:1-5. He sent His Son in a body like ours—in the same flesh in which dwells nothing good. Rom. 8:3-4, 7:18; Heb. 2:14-18, 4:15-16.

Here we read that God condemned sin in the flesh so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us. Jesus was the sacrifice, because “the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Here we do not read about Jesus’ death on Calvary, because then it could not say further: “Likewise, you also . . . .” “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” This was a new death which God brought into the world through His Son. By it He destroyed the power of the devil. This death is called the death of Jesus. We bear this death in our bodies, and this death destroys sin in the flesh so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 2 Cor. 4:10-11. We are therefore no longer debtors to the flesh, and by the same token we are not to let sin reign in our bodies.

Paul exhorts us, by the mercies of God, to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual service. Rom. 12:1. God can use our body to His glory once it has been surrendered to Him as a living sacrifice. Many people want to do something for God; they work very hard and offer up everything they have, but Paul says that all this profits them nothing if they do not have love. 1 Cor. 13. Further in the chapter he specifies what love is and what it is not. It does not seek its own, does not become bitter, endures all things, etc. By abiding in this love, the devil has lost his power. Jesus caused the devil to lose his power through this death, and through this same death he will also lose his power in our bodies and in our surroundings. “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” Jas. 4:1-3. Of what help is it to sacrifice everything and work for God if you become bitter and seek your own? Then Satan has just as much power over your body. Such people serve him. Only the death of Jesus can free us, that is, our bodies, from the power of the devil, with the result that Christ can be glorified in our bodies. Phil. 1:20-21.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Eph. 6:12. These powers gain control over us through sin in the flesh. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” The body is freed from sin by the dying of Jesus just like Israel freed the land of Canaan from the enemies. Thus they could occupy the land and receive it as an inheritance. This did not come about through their own strength, but through faith in God. Those who did not have the faith to fight this battle did not share the inheritance either; all they received was forgiveness for their sins. Moreover, they had to go out into the desert again. There they were given the bronze serpent to look up to when they were bitten by the serpents.

In these days most religious people do not believe in victory over sin either; they have Jesus as a bronze serpent. Num. 14, 21:8-9; John 3:14-15. Many religious people have Jesus as an idol just as Israel had the bronze serpent as an idol until a God-fearing king crushed it. We are well acquainted with all these crucifixes on street corners, on the walls, and around people’s necks. They believe they are serving God when they kiss, admire, and worship these crucifixes. 2 Kings 18:4. They do not know Jesus as their High Priest.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” We obtain the promises through obedience to the gospel. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Rom. 8:14. They are also heirs. They suffer with Christ, and they are glorified with Him. Phil. 3:10.

Israel fell out of grace and suffered defeat whenever they loved the things that were cursed. Josh. 7:11-12. “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15. Religious people of that sort are not heirs; neither are those who do works of the flesh. Gal. 5:19-22, 24. There is a very great difference between those who have Jesus as a bronze serpent, and those who have Him as a High Priest. “Freed from sin” we have become slaves of God. Then our body belongs to the Lord, and whatever we do then is done to serve Him. Col. 3:17.