"Born of God"

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:3-4 ESV)

Writing to a group of churches in Asia Minor, John reminds them that it is because we love God that we obey God. In our transformation, our hearts have been filled with God’s love. Only faith working through love makes us the Lord’s as we wait for righteousness and sanctification.

Love is the cornerstone of the gospel. Christ told us the most important commandment is, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matt 22:37) with the second being, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt 22:39) So, if we love God why do we continue to sin?

Sin is really saying to God, You are not enough, and although I know I should not do this, I am going to anyway. It is about self-control. Some think that Christians do not sin, maybe I should become a Christian, and it will be easy for me, only to find that it actually becomes harder. It is harder because we come to understand how truly depraved we are. Each time we sin, at some point, maybe in the back of our minds, we know we are consciously deciding to rebel against God. We let go of our self-control because of a carnal desire, even though we have been made righteous by God.

If this is so, then how can we possibly grow in sanctification? The writers of the Westminster Confession of Faith wrote about this very thing:

2. “This sanctification is throughout in the whole man, yet imperfect in this life: there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part, whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.” (Chapter 13.2)

3. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail, yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome: and so, the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (Chapter 13.3)

We are being told that we are fighting a war on three fronts: the world, the flesh, and the devil. This remains and will not end until we reach eternity. How, then, do we control the flesh? We cannot do it on our own, despite, as John points out, our rebirth in God is our victory through love and faith.

James wrote, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” (1:14) The desire James writes about is the desire to do the wrong thing. It is the desire for self-gratification, self-worship, or idol worship. If I want what is wrong and rebel against God to receive it, I am worshiping what I desire above God. My desire has now shifted from God to that which I find satisfying.

The world and society are increasingly focused on self-gratification. Humans have become self-worshipping nihilists. Just look at the word “selfie”. I have to take a selfie of what I am doing, eating, buying, where I am, and who I am with. It is a promotion of self over God. This world has penetrated the church.

Jesus did not die so we could live however we want. I am not a legalist, far from it, but we must acknowledge that our growth in sanctification requires an effort, however minuscule, for us to move forward. This does not mean we are relying on ourselves, oh, to the contrary. We rely on the Spirit who lives inside us, giving us the desire to please God, and we must then do as we should.  I refer to the Nancy Reagan commercial, “Just Say No.” For if we do not, we are essentially saying, “God, you are not fulfilling me.”

Our sin is not just a mere mistake; it is a struggle, a weapon in a war against the world, the flesh, and the devil. The enemy wields this weapon, causing us to pause and say, “I want that.” It is at that time we must say no, I love my Savior more than this fleeting thing. It is hard, yes, I agree, but this is why we cling to Christ. He alone is our only salvation in all things.

I am sure we have all been told “control yourself” at some point in our lives. It was hard then and probably even harder now. However, I say to you, and myself, control yourself. If you have been saved through faith, you have been saved for God, not yourself. I tell you as I tell many: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV). Self-control is a crucial aspect of our sanctification journey.

Grace and Peace!