The Gospel in Real Life

Every believer struggles with remaining sin. Remaining sin is something that we will continue to struggle with until the day we die. There will never be a time in this life when I cease to fight with remaining sin (apologies to John Wesley). Yes, the believer has been forgiven of his or her sin by the gracious gift of God through his Son Jesus Christ who died a substitutionary death and paid the penalty for the sins of the elect, but even though I am forgiven and unconditionally accepted by the Father because of the cross, I continue to battle with remaining sin. That is by divine design. We call it sanctification. In fact, it is safe to say that everything I do or think is tainted by sin to one degree or another. I never have a motive that is absolutely pure and 100% free from selfishness or pride and at the same time, 100% for His glory. Everything I do is tainted to some degree by remaining sin.

But praise God for His gift of grace and mercy through Jesus Christ! The fact that I continue to struggle with sin as a Christian, does not mean that I am mastered by sin, or that sin controls me. For although I continue to struggle with remaining sin (and every believer does!), there is never a time when sinning is justified or unavoidable. There is never a time or circumstance when Read more…