Victory over the Power of Sin -- Rev. ARNOLD N. VALLEJO (August 21, 2016 AM)

August 21, 2016|Sunday Morning Service
Victory over the Power of Sin
By Rev. ARNOLD N. VALLEJO
Romans 8:2, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

In this verse, Apostle Paul refers to the law of sin described in 1 Timothy 1:9-10, which states, “Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, (10) For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;” The law of death, on the other hand, is clearly stated in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Like Apostle Paul, we were once in bondage of sin and death, as described in Romans 7:19-20, “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.” “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Ephesians 2:4-5).
We, Christians are the testament of God’s power to free every sinner from bondage. Ephesians 2:6 further states, “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

The question then is, if we have been set free, why do most Christians remain under the power of sin? Why do Christians fail to overcome their besetting sin? There are two reasons behind this truth:

1. Lack of faith
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:6). Therefore, faith is not just taking God at His Word. It more on trusting God at His Word. God has already given us the power over sin. But, we have to trust and believe Him that He does.

2. Lack of surrender
In John 5:6-9, God showed a perfect example of a true surrender. He shared of the impotent man who had been suffering from an infirmity for 38 years. In verse 6, Christ asked him, “Wilt thou be made whole?” Hence, God is concerned with our will. He is interested more on how much we are willing to do as He says. In this account, this impotent man has fully surrendered his will to Christ’s word. In verse 8, when Jesus told him to “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk,” he obeyed immediately, “took up his bed, and walked:” Such immediate response to a command is seemingly impossible for a bed-ridden person for 38 years. A more imaginable scenario would be the person asking for somebody’s help to raise him from his bed. But, the man’s will was so strong that he chose to forget his 38 years of incapacity and do the seemingly impossible instruction of Christ.

As Christians, we must learn to the same. God has already given us the power over sin. Romans 6:14 declares, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” What then matters is our will to believe that we already have the power. 2 Corinthians 12:9 further ensures us, “And he 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.”

Thus, when we have faith in Him and surrender our will to Him, He will do the rest for you and make you experience the victory over sin. Let us come to Him; ask Him for this victory over sin; and He will give us the grace we need, that we may live a more happy and enjoyable Christian life.