For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Vince Terranova
Thank you Michael and Dale. Very good teachings on this subject.
The more and more I speak with people about almost anything these days, my answer to them always refers back to God's Word and the fact that man's sin is the cause, and Jesus is the only cure!
Unfortunately in this life, sin is here to stay. The common denominator in all my discussions seems to be: “Well, how do I deal with it?” I sincerely believe that like with anything else, the more time we spend with God and His Word, the less we will want to spend with the ways of this world. "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 1:17
Being known to ourselves, we are creatures of habit. Being known to God, we are His creatures, made in His perfect image to follow Him and bring Him glory. As Dale so rightly put it, let us "lay down" these filthy rags we call our own lives each day in exchange for a free and fulfilling life with Christ, Who willingly laid His life down for our eternal salvation.
The hour, or minute, or second we forget who we are in Christ, is the same amount of time it takes for Satan to do what he came to do (John 10:10).
Therefore---
"Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body (Rom. 6: 8, 10-12).
Vince Terranova
(Cont.)
"For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.'
Rom. 6:14
Hallelujah