The old adage that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks is a sentiment that can seep into our mentality about growing in godliness. What sin most easily entices you? You certainly know that God graciously forgives that sin. But do you believe that God is able to give you the victory over that sin?
Scripture doesn’t present the Christian life as one under bondage to sin. Instead, in regeneration your Heavenly Father gives you a new nature. This new nature is not yet made perfect, there remains a great deal of corruption which must be driven out. So the question naturally arises, “How do I change?”
First, all the virtues needed for overcoming sin––like patience, contentment, self-control––are glorious gifts from God. But as one theologian put it, “God Himself & not His gifts, dwelt in the temple.” This then must be the central understanding of your battle against besetting sin: God dwells in you. As Paul said, “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you?”
Second, you must cultivate the habit of saying, “Amen” to what God says about you in your baptism. He says, “Likewise reckon yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus.”
Third, you must make the twofold action of confession & repentance habitual. Confession is saying the same the thing about your sin as God says about it, while repentance is turning from your sin and also pursuing Christ.
Your progress may feel slow. But like mountain switchbacks, you’ll gradually ascend higher. You can’t hike Kilimanjaro in one step. Rather, steady steps will. Know that God dwells in you. Mortify your sins. Mock your temptation. Confess & repent if you do succumb. These things are the mountain switchbacks of sanctification.
Ben Zornes – June 16, 2024
