Part 3 – Our ‘Standing’ Is Solidly Sure and Secure “In Christ,”

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called Victory Over “Sin In the Flesh”.

So, the believer’s standingis solidly sure and secure in Christ,” never to be blemishedeven if we do fall into an act of sinning on occasion. Why? It’s because God’s Grace is Total and Unconditional. If you don’t believe my words then believe the words the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write to us here.

5 But to him that worketh Not, but Believeth on him [Christ] that justifieth the ungodly, his Faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth [counts] righteousness Without [Good] Works, …

 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are Forgiven, and whose sins are Covered.  8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will Not Impute [Count his] sin. Romans 4:5-8

So, there is another aspect to understanding in considering in our victory over “Sin in the flesh”; it is the believer’s current ‘state of being in the moment relating to the personal responsibility of the believer. While the believer’s ‘standingis certain and secure in Christ his ‘state of being’ at any given moment is in his own hands, having to do with his choices, choosing how he lives.

The believer’s life is “hid with Christ in God,” and sinning cannot undo this ‘union,’ nor can any other person, power, or thing, thus we are sure and secure. But there is a walk’ for the believer one that is narrow’ if he is to live a righteous life. We need to abide, keeping our soul unionwith Christ in our spirit.

The believer must learn to count himself to be dead with Christfrom the rudiments (societal elements), from the tempting things of ‘the world’ (of this age), and all the lusts (desires) thereof.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after [not disregarding] Christ. Colossians 2:8

Now, since we are dead to these things (and we are), things such as lusts, pride, anger, greed, and love of self-glory, etc., then what others may do or say about us is irrelevant, having no effect upon us. Some mature saints do not even know where the nearest theatre is, nor who the season’s football hero is, or the latest star in Hollywood, or what is the latest scandal in Washington. The saint has other interests and so he lives … dead to the things that interest the man of the world. The saint is unruffled by things that would anger a man of pride. He can live a life of peace and serenity amid all the difficulties and distractions about him. He is living another Life he lives by Christ’s Life in him as his new life.

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (KJV)

Now, if one is dead physically, he is then buried and so it is for the believer spiritually in Christ.

“We were BURIED therefore with Him.” Rom. 6:4. “Having been BURIED with Him Col. 2:12.

We do not have to punish the flesh. We do not need to neglect it, or to improve it in any way. We are to count our sins as ‘forgiven and count that our ‘flesh’ as dead [subjugated] by our union with Christ.

If we pander to the lusts and desires of the flesh, having to keep ourselves entertained, even by those things which seem perfectly lawful but are of “the world (this age),” the flesh will grow strong and at the same time we will grow weak in the spirit. And, if we FEED the New Nature with “the Word of Truth it will grow strong, and the flesh will grow weak at the same time.

We must realize and believe that this is a positive emphasis doctrine! The emphasis is not on negative of the Law’s touch not, do not, etc. All the negative was fully dealt with at the cross, once and for all time. You can’t add to Christ’s effectual death as us. All you can do is walk in the truth of your death with Christ. But how? By walking according to the resurrected indwelling “Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:2) as our victorious new life. His life is as automatic as was our Old Man’s sinful impulse.

2 For ‘the law [automatic operation] of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus’ hath made me free from ‘the law of sin and death.’ Romans 8:2 (KJV)

The emphasis is no longer on “Thou shalt not” as under the law, for that will only strengthen the desire for that which is forbidden. Paul wrote: “the Strength of Sin Is The Law.” (1Cor. 15:56b) Now, positively, we have the promise; that if we walk in the spirit, ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16)

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit [mind] the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally [flesh] minded’ is death; but to be spiritually minded’ is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6

Thus, maintaining a proper mindset is a key to right livingsetting the mind on the things of the Spirit. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Phili. 2:5. What was Jesus mindset? He repeatedly said it was “to do the will of the father” … in all that He said and did. He was mindful of the Father. We’re to be mindful of “the Spirit of life” within, as He leads, guides, prompts, and restrains us.