Crucify April 10, 2015

Moral Decision about Sin 

⁶ We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. Romans 6:6 ESV

Co-Crucifixion. Have I made this decision about sin—that it must be killed right out in me? It takes a long time to come to a moral decision about sin, but it is the great moment in my life when I do decide that just as Jesus Christ died for the sin of the world, so sin must die out in me, not be curbed or suppressed or counteracted, but crucified. No one can bring any one else to this decision. We may be earnestly convinced, and religiously convinced, but what we need to do is to come to the decision which Paul forces here.

Haul yourself up, take a time alone with God, make the moral decision and say—“Lord, identify me with Thy death until I know that sin is dead in me.” Make the moral decision that sin in you must be put to death.

It was not a divine anticipation on the part of Paul, but a very radical and definite experience. Am I prepared to let the Spirit of God search me until I know what the disposition of sin is—the thing that lusts against the Spirit of God in me? Then if so, will I agree with God’s verdict on that disposition of sin—that it should be identified with the death of Jesus? I cannot reckon myself “dead indeed unto sin” unless I have been through this radical issue of will before God.

Have I entered into the glorious privilege of being crucified with Christ until all that is left is the life of Christ in my flesh and blood? “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”

Chambers, Oswald (2011-05-01). My Utmost for His Highest, Classic Edition (p. 73). Discovery House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Our new pastor at Ridgecrest is a pretty firey little guy on the pulpit.  His passion for the Word and Gospel message is evident.  I am becoming more and more a fan of his style.  He gets particularly passionate when he is preaching about evangelism and saving the lost.  Which, at the end of the day, is why Christ came to earth.

However, I wonder if he would preach with the same passion about personal purity and sanctfication.  When I read today's entry,  I can envision Chambers vociferously, agressively delivering the message. A pulpit was pounded.  Sweat poured freely.  Congregants squirmed uneasily as they heard his words.

How angry do we get at our personal sin?  How aggressively, even violently, do we seek out and destroy those secrete pleasures we know displease God?  Do we drive a nail through those thoughts, actions, and words which keep us from a closer comunion with our Lord and Savior?

Sure we know we shouldn't sin.  Sin is bad.  But at the end of the day, I imagine most of us do not cry out to God with an apology for hurting His reputation, damaging our witness, and grieving His spirit with what we have done.  There may be the throw away line about "forgiving us our trespasses" but no conviction.  No real skin in the game.

Crucifixion was a violent, bloody death.  Each day we should make a conscious effort to crucify our personal, individual sin.  Passion and aggression should be used when we deal with the sin that still and will continue to haunt us this side of heaven.  The biggest threat to Christianity is not ISIS, SOGI, or who can marry who, but Christians' willingness to allow personal, individual sin to continue to live and thrive in their own lives.