The American church has made themselves so comfortable we all seem to be in a stupor. A puzzled look usually comes over faces when questioned about how they serve God. Many church people do not know that Jesus is the absolute center of the Christian religion. They usually believe some church program or theology will save them. Usually, someone can stand in a lobby of the church and talk about Jesus and the room will empty. There might be two people in the corner talking about fishing but really hoping to sell some insurance. The modern believer knows more about cell phones than they do the Bible. People will say that the thief on the cross was allowed into paradise so Jesus will certainly take me. The problem is that the thief’s life was over but we continue living and sinning. God exist in perfect righteousness and a cavalier attitude about sin might be a problem if we want to live with Him in Heaven.
Somehow, the modern believer must realize that salvation is a serious business. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your (reasonable)spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Rom 12:1,2) Do we see this transformed attitude in believers today? Some people say they don’t have the power to live as a living sacrifice. However, it is both necessary and possible to live the righteous life that God requires. People must desire a new life and then learn how to accomplish it. From cover to cover, the Bible tells us about this different life that is available to the serious believer. The question is, how do we put into operation what the Savior has achieved? The answer is the Spirit of Jesus Christ living in us.
Paul said, Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame. (1 Cor 15:34) It is our shame that people have not been taught. The first matter of concern is stopping our sin. Any rational person should know that all of us are full of sin and we cannot conquer it by ourselves. Christians know that Jesus Christ died and was resurrected to provide a covenant that can cover all our sins. If we can find a way to apply the work of Christ, a righteous life will be the result. Paul said it this way, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, (Rom 8:12,13) Instructions on conquering sin started in the Old Testament and concluded when Paul wrote his letters revealing that the Spirit of truth could actually live inside us.
In the very beginning of humans, the Lord gave the blood sacrifice to teach us that there is a problem that stands between God and people. The sin problem must be dealt with in the life of anyone who desires to live with God. We cannot solve this problem ourselves, therefore we must go to God and ask him to deal with it for us. Of course, sin must be dealt with in a legal manner because God is absolutely righteous. In the old days, the people used the blood to represent what Christ would do on the cross. Thank the Lord, the substitution of Jesus Christ was represented in all sacrificial animals. The Jews had five regular offerings and many “special” offerings. This discourse uses two of the regular offerings and a couple special ones to show us the different types of sin that we face in our everyday life and how to deal with them.
The Scriptures teach that Jewish offerings were for two basic types of sin. The first one was for our bad human nature. If a member of the community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands, he is guilty. (Lev 4:27) The “sin offering” was required because of our sin-nature that produces sin that we may or may not know is in our life. All of us inherited this type of sin from Adam. The second type was for sins that are done with our own reasoning. If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the LORD by deceiving his neighbor… or if he swears falsely, or if he commits any such sin that people may do…He must make restitution in full (Lev 6:1-5) This “trespass offering” covers our violations of the Law of Moses. Although the Law is good, Paul tells us to be careful, because law brings wrath. (Rom 4:15) How do we deal with our transgressions during the remainder of our life?
It is easy to say that Jesus has taken care of our sin with the shedding of His blood and nothing could be truer. But a new responsibility for our behavior comes into our life because we are joined in a union with Christ. The new covenant that Jesus gave us is about our new life with God. Since we have now been justified by his blood,(Jesus Christ) how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! (Rom 5:9,10) This important passage tells us that there is much more to Christianity than the blood of God’s son. The blood reconciled the WHOLE EARTH but believers are saved by His blood AND the perfect life of Jesus Christ that gives us freedom to be righteous.
Christians must believe that they have become one with a perfect Savior. This requires that the Spirit of Christ live in us, giving direction and conviction. The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. John 6:63 The Spirit is the life in us, therefore, we must be involved with him every day. This is how the Spirit can give us divine guidance in our righteous life. Of course, when we commit sins after our salvation we are required to confess them for our forgiveness. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8,9) Confession is the practical remedy we have been given to access what the Savior provided.
To repeat, all sin in our life must be dealt with in order to please God with a righteous life. Jesus Christ died for our sin but he lived perfect life for our righteousness. In other words, the Spirit leading our life each day is how we are “saved through His life”.
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