You need to understand this vital biblical formula for overcoming sin.
A vital aspect of God's purpose for us involves our coming to
repentance, recognizing our sinful state and how far short we fall of
God's standards, and determining to begin living God's way of life. We
strive to identify and overcome our sins and live a sin-free life.
However, when God helps us recognize the enormity of our sins, a
natural human response is dejection and discouragement. Even the apostle
Paul struggled with his weaknesses, lamenting that "in me (that is, in
my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how
to perform what is good I do not find . . . The evil I will not to do,
that I practice" (Romans 7:18-19
).
).
How can we possibly overcome our deficiencies of character and attain
to the eternal life that God offers us? How can we change and overcome
sin?
During Jesus' ministry a rich young man came to Him and asked what he
should do to achieve eternal life. Christ told him, ". . . If you want
to enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:17
). When the man asked which commandments Jesus was talking about, Christ referred to five of the Ten Commandments, along with the command to "love your neighbor as yourself." But He omitted mention of the Tenth Commandment, which forbids coveting. Covetousness was the man's problem and one of the reasons this account is in the Bible. The young man was just too attached to his riches to give them up, so he "went away sorrowful" (verse 21-22).
). When the man asked which commandments Jesus was talking about, Christ referred to five of the Ten Commandments, along with the command to "love your neighbor as yourself." But He omitted mention of the Tenth Commandment, which forbids coveting. Covetousness was the man's problem and one of the reasons this account is in the Bible. The young man was just too attached to his riches to give them up, so he "went away sorrowful" (verse 21-22).
Christ noted how difficult it is for a rich person to enter the Kingdom
of God because of the human tendency to covet and rely on physical
possessions rather than God. The disciples, amazed, asked, "Who then can
be saved?" Christ's answer provides the key to overcoming sin: "With
men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (verse 26,
added emphasis throughout).
None of us can overcome our deficiencies, our sins, our shortcomings,
without God's help. Even if we could by our own will alter our actions,
only God can change our hearts. This is why Paul appealed to members of
the church in Rome not to be conformed to the world but to be
transformed by God's Spirit and "by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:1-2
).
).
To come to grips with our sins, each of us must surrender to God. When
God is calling a person to fundamental change, He leads the person to
this point of surrender. Repentance comes through God's goodness, not
our own (Romans 2:4
). God grants repentance so we may know the truth (2 Timothy 2:25
) and live (Acts 11:18
). We are free, however, to decide whether to repent. Peter exhorted his countrymen to "repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19
).
). God grants repentance so we may know the truth (2 Timothy 2:25
) and live (Acts 11:18
). We are free, however, to decide whether to repent. Peter exhorted his countrymen to "repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19
).
After repentance, and after baptism as an outward sign of our
repentance, God promises to give us His Spirit. That Spirit empowers us
to recognize and overcome sin. Through conversion we become a "new
creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17
) as far as God is concerned. He enables us to live as a different person, leaving behind our sins.
) as far as God is concerned. He enables us to live as a different person, leaving behind our sins.
