We at ACF have heard several messages pertaining to Philippian’s 3:12-14″ I press toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”. Everyone recognizing that “we” have not arrived/attained but do desire to press on toward Jesus and all that this means. This week Pastor Glenn suggested that if Jesus is truly our focus that we all need more of Jesus and less of ourselves. Scripture speaks often of life and death as well as living and dying.
Roman’s 6:2 ” How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”
6:4 “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death.
Both speak of dying to self and the power of sin, do you believe that you have experienced this dying as spoken by the Apostle Paul?
6:4 ” We should walk in newness of life”
6:8 ” Now if we died with Christ, we believe we shall also live with Him
The promise of life from death, Do you believe that you are walking in newness of life?
Death whether physical or spiritual means separation not extinction. Death to sin is separation from sin’s power. We were dead in our trespasses and sin- alive physically- dead spiritually. We died to sin- Old man dies- New Man alive in Christ. We continue to live eternally either in Heaven with Jesus or apart from Him in hell.
In Colossians 2 we are to set our mind on things above focusing on Jesus. We are to put off/put to death those things that are from our old nature (sin). We are to put on those things which reflect our new man (similar to the fruits of the spirit)
Galations 2:20 ” I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Do we appreciate the power of the cross in freeing us from the power of sin? We all should be able to acknowledge a specific sin or sins that have no power over us. Is there still a sin that we struggle with? If so take it to cross and believe in the power of Christ to set you free.