BIBLES * Bulldogs * & Beards

with Pastor William Shifflett, pastor of Reasoning Tree Church in Edinburg, Virginia.

Romans 8:9 - You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him.

Galatians 5:17 - For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

“The Christian is dominated by Christ through the Spirit, yet the flesh remains in the sense that sin remains in them.” Can you clarify this for young Christians?

Galatians 5:24 - And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Romans 6:1 - What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?

Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Are these scriptures teaching that our sin is crucified because of our union with Christ or because of our decision to reject sin when we are joined to Christ by faith?

Summary:

FOR GOD       AGAINST GOD

The new creature      The flesh

The Holy Spirit      The Devil

The decisive break with sin through faith   The world

“The power for us are far greater than the power against us. God summons us to put sin to death. The victory is secure.’

Dealing with sin.

“Our forefathers used to speak of mortifying sin.” (put to death)

“We must affirm that crucifying sin is a central practical issue in the Christian life. … It is one of the signs of our morally-confused church life today that there is so much hesitation here. We have lost confidence in the clear command of Scripture.” 

Do you agreed?   What does he mean by “morally-confused church life”? Is mortifying sin legalism?