Understanding Sin, Wrath, and Our Union with Christ
Devotional
Day 1: The Journey of Continuous Renewal
The Christian life is a journey of ongoing renewal, where believers strive to align their desires and actions with their identity in Christ. This process is not about achieving perfection in this life but about growing in holiness and reflecting Christ's image. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that the complete eradication of sinful desires is not achievable in this life, which is why he exhorts believers to wage war against sin. This transformation is ongoing and will only be complete when we are with Christ in eternity. As we engage in this journey, we are called to put to death what is earthly within us, such as sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness. [04:20]
Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV): "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Reflection: What specific earthly desire or action do you need to put to death today to align more closely with your identity in Christ?
Day 2: Understanding God's Wrath and Forgiveness
God's wrath is directed at both sinful actions and desires, as highlighted by Paul's words in Colossians. These are not just actions but also desires that warrant God's wrath. However, for those in Christ, His death on the cross has paid the penalty for all sins, securing our forgiveness and shielding us from wrath. This assurance is a profound comfort for believers, knowing that through faith, they are united with Christ, and His sacrifice covers all their transgressions. This understanding should lead to a life of gratitude and a deeper commitment to living in a way that honors God. [09:00]
Ephesians 2:3-5 (ESV): "Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: How does understanding that God's wrath is directed at both actions and desires change the way you view your own sin and the forgiveness offered through Christ?
Day 3: The Foundation of Union with Christ
Our union with Christ through faith is the foundation of our forgiveness. This union means that His life is our life, and His death is the payment for our sins, providing us with complete forgiveness. This profound truth assures believers that they are no longer under condemnation but are free to live a life that reflects their new identity in Christ. This union is not just a theological concept but a living reality that empowers believers to live victoriously over sin and to grow in holiness. [08:48]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: In what ways can you live out your union with Christ today, allowing His life to be evident in your actions and decisions?
Day 4: Engaging in the Battle Against Sin
Engaging in the battle against sin is essential for believers. This warfare is not what earns our forgiveness but confirms our new identity in Christ and our transformation as new creations. A true believer will not make peace with sin but will continually strive for holiness, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This ongoing struggle against sin is a testament to our transformation and the assurance of our salvation. It is a daily commitment to resist the temptations that seek to draw us away from our relationship with God. [11:05]
1 Peter 2:11 (ESV): "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to actively engage in the battle against a particular sin in your life?
Day 5: Evidence of Transformation and Assurance of Salvation
The ongoing struggle against sin is evidence of our transformation and assurance of salvation. A true believer will not make peace with sin but will continually strive for holiness, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This transformation is not about achieving perfection but about reflecting Christ's image more clearly each day. The evidence of this transformation is seen in the believer's life as they grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is the fruit of the Spirit that confirms our new identity in Christ. [12:51]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: How can you cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in your life today as evidence of your transformation and assurance of salvation?
Sermon Summary
In today's discussion, we delved into the profound questions posed by Mary regarding the nature of sin, the wrath of God, and the Christian's journey of sanctification. The Apostle Paul, in Colossians 3:5-10, urges believers to "put to death" what is earthly within them, such as sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness. These are not just actions but also desires that warrant God's wrath. The key question is whether the wrath of God is directed solely at sinful actions or also at the sinful desires that linger within us.
Firstly, it's important to understand that the complete eradication of sinful desires is not achievable in this life. If it were, Paul's exhortation to wage war against sin would be unnecessary. Instead, the Christian life involves a continuous process of renewal, where we strive to align our desires and actions with our new identity in Christ. This transformation is ongoing and will only be complete when we are with Christ in eternity.
Secondly, the wrath of God is indeed directed at both sinful actions and desires. This is clear from Paul's words in Colossians, where he lists both behaviors and desires as reasons for God's coming wrath. However, for those in Christ, there is assurance. Through faith, we are united with Christ, and His death on the cross serves as the payment for all our sins—both actions and desires. This union secures our forgiveness and shields us from God's wrath.
Lastly, the evidence of our union with Christ and our forgiveness is demonstrated through our active battle against sin. This warfare is not what earns our forgiveness but is a confirmation of our new identity in Christ. A true believer will not make peace with sin but will continually strive for holiness, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This ongoing struggle against sin is a testament to our transformation and the assurance of our salvation.
Key Takeaways
1. Continuous Renewal: The Christian life is a journey of ongoing renewal, where we strive to align our desires and actions with our identity in Christ. This process is not about achieving perfection in this life but about growing in holiness and reflecting Christ's image. [04:20]
2. Wrath and Forgiveness: God's wrath is directed at both sinful actions and desires. However, for those in Christ, His death on the cross has paid the penalty for all sins, securing our forgiveness and shielding us from wrath. [09:00]
3. Union with Christ: Our union with Christ through faith is the foundation of our forgiveness. This union means that His life is our life, and His death is the payment for our sins, providing us with complete forgiveness. [08:48]
4. The Battle Against Sin: Engaging in the battle against sin is essential for believers. This warfare is not what earns our forgiveness but confirms our new identity in Christ and our transformation as new creations. [11:05]
5. Evidence of Transformation: The ongoing struggle against sin is evidence of our transformation and assurance of salvation. A true believer will not make peace with sin but will continually strive for holiness, empowered by the Holy Spirit. [12:51] ** [12:51]
What specific sins does Paul urge believers to "put to death" in Colossians 3:5-10? How are these sins categorized in the sermon? [02:55]
According to the sermon, what is the significance of the phrase "put off the old self and put on the new self" in Colossians 3:9-10? [04:02]
How does the sermon describe the relationship between sinful desires and God's wrath? [06:38]
What role does the Holy Spirit play in the believer's battle against sin, as discussed in the sermon? [12:19]
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Interpretation Questions:
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Christian life is a continuous process of renewal rather than a one-time event? How does this align with Colossians 3:10? [04:20]
How does the sermon explain the assurance of forgiveness for those in Christ, despite the presence of sinful desires? [09:00]
What does the sermon imply about the importance of spiritual warfare in confirming a believer's identity in Christ? [11:05]
How does the sermon interpret the concept of "union with Christ" and its impact on a believer's life and actions? [08:48]
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Application Questions:
Reflect on your own life: Are there specific "earthly" desires or actions that you need to "put to death"? How can you begin this process with the help of the Holy Spirit? [02:55]
The sermon emphasizes the ongoing battle against sin. What practical steps can you take this week to engage in this spiritual warfare? [11:05]
How can you remind yourself daily of your new identity in Christ and the assurance of forgiveness, especially when struggling with sinful desires? [09:00]
Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you be more attentive to His guidance in your battle against sin? [12:19]
The sermon discusses the evidence of transformation in a believer's life. What are some tangible ways you can demonstrate this transformation in your daily interactions? [12:51]
How can you support others in your small group or community who are also striving to align their desires and actions with their identity in Christ? [04:20]
Reflect on the concept of "union with Christ." How does this understanding influence your approach to challenges and temptations in your life? [08:48]
Sermon Clips
"Firstly, it's important to understand that the complete eradication of sinful desires is not achievable in this life. If it were, Paul's exhortation to wage war against sin would be unnecessary. Instead, the Christian life involves a continuous process of renewal, where we strive to align our desires and actions with our new identity in Christ. This transformation is ongoing and will only be complete when we are with Christ in eternity." [00:02:55]
"Paul would not be writing to Christians to get on with their warfare against sin if that were the case. Colossians 3 is not written as if during your first week as a Christian, you put a sinful desire to death and then for the rest of your life you never deal with it. That's not the way the New Testament reads at all." [00:02:37]
"There is a new self, that's what it means to be born again, to become a new creation in Christ, to be united to Christ so that His life is our life. This is a done reality for all true Christians, and the rest of the Christian life is to become what we are, to become in desire and in practice what you are in union with Christ." [00:04:23]
"The wrath of God comes upon both behavioral sin and upon sinful desires that lie beneath those behaviors. And I say that simply because that's exactly what the text says in Colossians 3:5-6. It says put to death and then it names five things: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." [00:06:39]
"Becoming a Christian means that God unites us to Christ by faith so that His death, Christ's death on the cross, becomes the payment for all of our sins and the ground of all our total forgiveness for all the sins we will ever do, whether desires or actions." [00:08:41]
"The first answer to the question why the wrath of God will not fall upon us for the sins of our remaining evil desires is that Jesus paid the penalty for them and secured complete forgiveness. Wrath comes upon unforgiven evil desire. Christ bore the wrath for forgiven evil desire; therefore, it won't come upon us because we are forgiven." [00:09:57]
"The wrath of God will not fall upon true believers because we confirm our union with Christ and our state of acceptance with God and our forgiveness by the war we make on our sinful desires. Many people do not understand this; they think that if they are secure in Christ, then the battle against sinful desires is not essential." [00:10:50]
"If the battle is forsaken and we make peace with sin in our lives, then we fail to confirm that we are united to Christ. We fail to confirm that we are a new creation because the new creation in Christ was created for good works, for holiness." [00:11:31]
"If you live according to the flesh, you'll die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. In other words, if the Holy Spirit dwells in you, you will make war on sin in your life, and the result will be the escape from wrath and the enjoyment of everlasting life." [00:12:10]
"Not because the warfare against sin provides forgiveness—it doesn't work like that—but because it shows that we are forgiven, we are in Christ, we are a new creation. So in summary, no, there is no eradication of all evil desire in this life." [00:12:37]
"Yes, wrath is coming upon both sinful behavior and sinful desire, but that wrath will only come upon unforgiven sinful behavior and desire. We confirm that we live in the safety of God's forgiveness by hating and making war on our sinful desires by the Holy Spirit." [00:13:04]
"Speaking of evil desires in the Christian experience, we need to address the big debate over Romans 7 and whether Paul is there talking about the struggles of a believer or the struggles of a pre-believer." [00:13:45]