Victory Is Determined Individually, Through Christ
Victory in life is determined by each individual, however, the extent of our victory is affected by other people. Our actions and our attitudes (good and bad) affect the extent of victory in other people's lives.
Success Is Affected By Other People
In sports, and other disciplines, each player affects the other players and can determine the outcome of a game. In life, our victory over sin is determined by our faith/obedience to Christ, however, the extent of our success in the affairs of life are either enhanced or diminished by the actions and attitudes of other people.
* The Sinner
There are Sinners (people under the domain of sin) who have a better attitude toward life than some Christians (people under the domain of God). This is because our human nature with its natural temperaments or personality types, is predisposed to respond to circumstances in a certain way (positively/negatively). When a person becomes a believer, he is expected, by God's enabling, to channel his actions and attitudes in the right direction. The fallen human nature is not to be confused with the sinful nature, which is totally corrupt and non-redeemable.
The sinner is subject to sin and Satan. Only by God's prevenient grace (the grace that God gives to a person before salvation) is the sinner kept from becoming the full blown monster that he is capable of becoming. In the salvific sense there is no victory over sin for the sinner. Still, the actions and attitudes of sinners affects other people.
* The Saved
The saved person has been regenerated and imparted with Divine nature. This saving grace makes it possible for the believer to live victoriously over sin. In fact, the evidence of salvation is victory over sin. While other people affect our victory, they do not determine our victory. Salvation enables us to manifest redemptive actions and attitudes. The problem for the saved person is the inherent and indwelling sinful nature that is always contending for rule over the believer. Manifesting redemptive actions and attitudes is part of the battle for the saved man.
The Sanctified
The sanctified person must yield his human nature to the influences of the imparted Divine nature and the indwelling Holy Spirit. However, the inner turmoil with the sinful nature (carnal mind, old man, double mind, flesh, evil heart of unbelief) was done away with through the Sanctifying Blood, Word and Spirit of God. This fullness of the Baptism of God's Holy Spirit perfects us in love; purifies us, even as He is pure; conforms us to the likeness of Jesus; and saves us from all sin in this present evil world. Still, the believer must make choices to walk in grace in order to produce redemptive actions and attitudes.
Right Response If We Lapse Into Sin
It is possible for a Christian, even an entirely sanctified believer, to Lapse into sin. It can happen in a moment. Believers do not have to sin, but they are capable of sin, just as Adam was capable in the Garden of Eden. If a believer lapses, then he should repent and make things right immediately. To delay steps of restoration only allows the corruption of the sin to spread as a cancer. The sanctified should manifest the most obvious positive actions and attitudes in our world.
THE DELUSION OF PRIDE
* People will wear their pride as a Badge of Honor, not realizing it is their Red Letter of Humiliation.
* It is possible for people to be proud of their grace.
Five (+1) Areas Of Pride
* Pride of Face
*Pride of Race
* Pride of Place
* Pride of Lace
* Pride of Grace
(I have added another to this list)
* Pride of Pace (the pride of being driven, success oriented)
Remember, Pride Destroys.
PASSAGE...
Romans 6:11-22
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
