Living for Christ by Vox Doulos

Romans 8:12-13 (NASB1995) reads:

"So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh, for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

This past Resurrection weekend, we meditate on the glorious wonders of God in our Lord Jesus Christ, who, knowing no sin, became sin in our stead, and bore our condemnation on Himself so that in His resurrection, we also might live. He did not die because we are so valuable, as so many claim. Rather, He died because God chose to ascribe value to us in Him, in the Christ, our Lord.

Antinomians make the claim that we can be nearly carnal, with no moral reproach. It is as though they were saying "God has given us grace, might as well use it." No true Christian could utter that phrase unironically, especially not in the light of the many New Testament teachings concerning our conduct and how we should live holy, sanctified lives. We will sin, yes, for we are not sinless, but we will not side with our flesh against God and claim that such sinning is just par for the course, after all "nobody is perfect." Such thinking is deplorable before God.

Matthew 13:41-42 (NASB2020) reads:

"The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who practice lawlessness, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Note the term used in this passage "practice." Noted 18th century Baptist commentator John Gill had this to say about this matter: "Not such as sin through weakness, but who live in sin, continue in it, make it their constant work and practice." We are called to put to death the deeds of the flesh, and to practice righteousness, not quenching the Spirit, but to consider each other how to stir one another up to love and good deeds, as the author of the book of Hebrews exhorts (Hebrews 10:24, NASB1995).

Mark 8:34-35 (NASB1995) reads:

"And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospels will save it."

Condemned criminals did not come back from the cross. One must deny their earthly, fleshly desires for a higher, spiritual calling, and a march for the gates of Zion. The Christian is singular in mindset. He has a holy death wish (though hopefully not a martyrdom complex). This impulse should only ever grow stronger, not weaker as time goes by. It is not enough to just pray for forgiveness once; rather, a believer should be penitent all the times. We should lament our every grievance of our Lord, and knowing what the condemnation for sin is, we should be singular-minded towards those we love. They are ever the targets of your evangelism.

Hear the exhortation of Jesus Himself in Luke 9:61-62 (NASB1995):

"Another also said, I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home. But Jesus said to him, No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." 

This single-mindedness leaves no room for a heart with two masters. A slave can have one master: Christ, or sin. I urge you, if you sit there, backsliding from the back pew, ask yourself, Do I love Him? If your answer is no, it is because you do not know Him. Again I say: ask yourself, Do I love Him? If the answer is yes, then why do you cheapen His grace by making light of your sin? Crucify it. Bury it. Take up your cross, dear brother, foul and wretched though you may be, look to the Christ, and follow Him.