The wrath of God abides on those who have no fear of God before their eyes, but for those who are hid in Christ there is no condemnation upon us.
Which of these two resembles you the most, a happy, joyful person who knows their sins are forgiven, and lives life in the presence of the knowledge of the assurance of your salvation, saved by grace through faith, a sinner forgiven?
Or one who goes through life dejected, walking the narrow path to the strait gate, but in a form of despondency over the sins that still occur in your life?
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1st John 3:9)
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1st John 1:8)
Welcome to the world of two completely different theological ideologies of the walk of those who profess to serve the Risen Savior, and both will quote this verse.
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)
Both sides will say that sin no longer has power over them, but one will say that they do not sin anymore, and therefore they alone are accepted in the Beloved. The other will exclaim that they do still sin, that it is inevitable.
One says they have power over every aspect of their flesh, their old sinful nature, and that they simply do not sin. That no temptation can cause them to fall into a place of dishonoring from the Living God. The other knows they will sin, that Romans 7:25 is a truth.
“I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”
And therefore, almost expects that they will indeed sin, that they will at times fall into temptation.
One says they are already perfected here, the other that they will be perfected.
If sin indeed, as the verse states, no longer has dominion over us, then by default that must mean that all sin, sin against the will and Word of the Living God is a choice that we make, and therefore verifies the absolute truth of Romans 14:12.
“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
But I ask this question of you, has anyone ever born of a woman been able to not sin?
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2nd Cor. 5:21)
“Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” (John 14:30)
I speak to those here now who believe they are perfect, who have, or at least must, believe that they have already been glorified, for they claim they no longer sin, ever, in any form, and I do so with this singular question. Are you able to control every thought of your mind? Is your imagination completely and fully under your control?
No, it is not.
“The thought of foolishness is sin:” (Prov. 24:9a)
You are deceiving yourself, and in a form of works, claiming to already be perfected, that you will enter into heaven sinless, and therefore there will be no need for you to give any account for your actions, words, deeds or thoughts to the Almighty.
To those of you who walk in a form of constant despair, a vile sinner, saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, yet always demeaning yourself because you do still sin, your joy is not full, and I suggest that you have not yet learned how to forgive yourself and fully accept His forgiveness.
All have sinned, all will give an account.
Pride goes before one group, the other runs from it continuously.
Learn to rest in His promises, recall not only the grace that saved you, but the grace that holds you in His hands.