You may be asking yourself, “If I am a saint and not a sinner, then why do I still sin?” First things first, let’s keep in mind that what you do doesn’t make you who you are. Just because you sin, doesn’t make your identity that of a sinner. You may think of yourself as a saint who occasionally sins. Your identity is secure no matter what you do. That is the beauty of what Christ did for us.
Also realize that we as human beings are not just flesh and bone. I believe that we have three distinct parts that make us up: our body, soul, and spirit. The body being pretty self evident, the soul which I think of as more or less our personality and mind, and our spirit which is the eternal component. When we are born we are born into sin, and both our bodies and our spirits are corrupted by it. It is natural for us to sin at this point. When we become a Christian, we are given a new heart. (Ezekiel 36:26) This is the point when a person actually is able to choose to sin or not. You were a slave to sin but no longer. Now that you have a new spirit that is no longer tainted by sin you have the choice. Think about this though. Every time that you sin you are choosing TO sin. The reason our new sin doesn’t taint our new spirit is because Christ’s death on the cross covers all our sin past, present, and future. This is also why our identity is not that of a sinner anymore.
Christmas Card 2023
4 months ago
3 comments:
My understanding is that it's the other way around, the spirit is the immortal part, the soul is our personality - but I guess it doesn't totally matter as long as we are aware that there are 3 distinct parts.
I can't wait for 'Why do I sin part 2'!
You are right. I’ve heard it explained to me both ways, which is why I always try to define each, so there isn’t any ambiguity. I have changed it though to reflect what you have said.
Yep, I agree with you. I have been considering 2 Corinthians 5:17 which says that I am a "new person" and I believe that it is literal. It also says that my old life is gone. I know this is true because I choose NOT to do so many of the sins I used to do. I chose not to do them on a daily basis, for example, getting drunk. Sometimes if I'm hitting some serious stress "escape" in that manner seems like it would be a good option, but I choose not to do it. On the other hand, there are sins I choose to do a lot. Sucks to admit it, but it is true.
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