Freedom from the Power of Sin

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

The Apostle Paul wrote that Sin will not lord it over us as Christians. This victory isn't just the experience of some sort of special Christians, but it is for all of us as ordinary Christians... as we will see, victory is for every believing Christian because we are "Under Grace." Our relationship with the Lord under grace is quite different than was for Israel under "the Law."

When I was first saved, I saw Romans 6:14 (above) and treasured it. As I began to grow in the Lord I realized that I had experienced some victories and had overcome some sins entirely apart from my self-effort; I realized that God had graced me as a "new creature in Christ" (2Cor 5:17). But then there's always one sin that seems to lord it over us. In fact, a few sins always came back to visit me occasionally. This caused me to press on to understand what was at work in my sinning after being saved.. why did I still fall prey to Sin?

I capitalize the word Sin because in its singular form it is a noun, a thing or personality, not a verb. Only a person can "lord" over us. If we see as God sees we will note that we are always running into Sin; it seems that Sin is constantly following us. We all have a few sins which continually plagued us, and I had to admit that sin lorded it over me. E.g., Temper seems to follow some all the time. Pride, shortness with people, and jealously seem to follow others all the time. Laziness seems to follow one, and lies seem to follow another. One finds himself or herself always having an unforgiving attitude, spontaneous sinful thoughts, while another is plagued continually by base desires, or selfishness.

The Bible clearly said that Sin will not lord it over me, but I had that problem. I had to admit that something was wrong with me. I know the Bible is not wrong, so then I had to admit that the mistake was in my lack of seeing the whole truth of Paul's grace gospel.

Now, here is the issue for believers who will admit they are still prone to sin... it is what Paul calls "Sin IN The Flesh." (Rom 8:3b). You see, the Sin-nature that indwells our flesh bodies does not belong to us. It is lodged in the flesh of all men, even after salvation. Here is Paul's testimony.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law (principle), that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law (principle) in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Romans 7:17-24

We will only be released from Sin's temptations and the influence of Sin in our flesh after we die physically and shed this sin-infected "body of sin" (Rom 6:6). Its obvious to everyone of us that we seem to have at least one besetting sin that follows us... we might say that we have, as the mighty Apostle Paul did, "a thorn in the flesh."

The word confirms that Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was the Sin of temptation that the Lord used to keep Paul humbled, from being puffed up after all the revelations he had received directly of the Lord Jesus. You can read below of and Paul's "thorn in the flesh."

4 ... he (Paul) was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 7 And Lest I Should Be Exalted Above Measure Through The Abundance Of The Revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, Lest I Should Be Exalted Above Measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he (the Lord) said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2Corinthians 12:4-9

Some might say, "So its obvious that the Sin nature is always in my flesh... but why do I fail at times, why can't I overcome consistently?

To answer this we must note the first part of Rom 6:14 that says "sin shall NOT Have Dominion Over you: for (BECAUSE) Ye Are Not Under The Law." Then you might ask, "What has the Law got to do with our sinning as Christian?" It has everything to do with our sinning as Christians.

Most of us still go to churches where the truth of Paul' gospel of the pure grace of God is not entirely presented... they may say or at least insinuate that we are still under all or at least some laws... if we are to please God. Sadly, this erroneous teaching and preaching is used of Satan to cripple the believer who takes the churches instructions to heart.

Here is how believers are harmed by the preaching of the Law instead of the grace gospel for daily living.

56 ... the strength (Gk., dunamis, dynamite power) of sin is the law. 1 Corinthians 15:56

Do you see it? Yes, the very strength of Sin is "the Law."

Paul confirms the power of "the commandment (Law)" to cause one to sin in Romans 7:7-13.

8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence...

9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. Romans 7:8-13

Paul cried out for deliverance from this Sin operating in his flesh "body."

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body (flesh) of this death? Romans 7:24

Then the answer to Paul's cry is seen here below in Rom 8:1-6.

1 There is therefore NOW no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law (regulating operation) of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law (regulating operation) of sin and death. 3 For what the law could NOT do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned (isolated) sin in the flesh: 4(So) that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk NOT after the flesh, BUT after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally (fleshly) minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:1-6

Ah, we have found the new grace-way to walk... it is to Walk In Accord With "The Spirit Of Life In Christ Jesus"... NOT after the Law.

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall NOT fulfil the lust (desires) of the flesh. Galatians 5:16
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are NOT under the law. Galatians 5:18
25 If (since) we live in (by) the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

If we are living a seemingly defeated life, we need to know that God ordained for us to be free from the demands of "the Law" and thereby from Sin reigning in our flesh. We now live under grace, pure grace, that demands no works of the Law for us to be in relationship or to stay in relationship with the Lord.

6 And if by grace, then is it No More of Works (of the law): otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Rom 11:6

We have to know that it is not God's intention for Sin to lord it over us. His Word says that Sin will not lord it over us because we are NOT under the Law.

Praise God, we've found the new way of living... it is to live under the pure "gospel of the grace of God" (Act 20:24)... it s the way of simply abiding in a love-union with the Lord within our spirit.