I was a sinner, for Romans 3:23-26 says: “23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
As we look at this scripture, we notice that all have sinned, that does not mean that we should continue in that life style. If one makes a choice to no longer live as a sinner, is he a sinner still? If we say yes, that would say that the redemption Jesus performed for us is not justified. This scripture says Jesus’ act was a propitiation for us through faith in His blood. This tells us that we must now recognize our redemption to wholeness. We would also have to point out, we have been made just, for He is just and the justifier of mankind.
By Jesus’ act we are to be no longer identified as a sinner, for Romans 6:22, 23 says: “22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In this scripture we can understand, the fruit unto righteousness is received at the point of becoming free from sins power over us. It also tells us that we become servants of God. Just what might that entail? As a servant, one must serve. The word serve has in its understanding, to submit to an authority great than one’s own. We cannot earn our separation from the power of sin, however, when we become a servant of another master, we must begin to serve that master and not the old.
We are children of God according to Romans 8:13-17,which says: “13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
There is a warning to those who say they are in the service of God, yet, live as one who is still under the power of another. We are told to mortify, or to put to death the deeds of the flesh. What does that mean to you and I? This means we must make a quality decision to allow the Holy Spirit to lead guide and reveal truth to us.
We are to feel free to call on the Father through the Holy Spirit to assist us in our walk and lifestyle. The work of the Holy Spirit is to bear witness of the new life of submission to God the Father through the adoption afforded by the blood of Jesus the Christ.
We are also told, In, II Corinthians 5:17, 18 that: “17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
This ministry of reconciliation means, we are not to continue to serve sin, or even have a sin conciseness (thinking on), but rather, to serve God with our minds and bodies as well as our words. Please notice, we are a new creation. This would speak to our mind set as well as actions. We have also been given a ministry. That ministry is that of sharing the good news, the news that God is not made at mankind, rather, He loves them.
According to Romans 12:1-2 which says: “1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
We are told to present our bodies a living sacrifice. What might that mean to you and I? It would mean that our thoughts, imaginations, strongholds (II Corinthians 10:3-5) and actions must become conformed to that of God the Father. How might that be attained?
Thoughts, lead to actions. Philippians 4:8 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Our lives are run by thoughts. Our thoughts must come into conformity to God’s word.
If we say we are a “Christian”, our lives should show it by our reaction to all actions that confront us. In other words, we must become like God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the resident agent in the earth today, the Holy Spirit, we must walk in love toward all.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
If God has saved you, you must become His witness and share His goodness to others.
