GREAT IS THE LORD and greatly to be praised! “For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.” 2 Corinthians 3:9 The the law points to our inability to fully and faithfully keep it; therefore we are condemned before a holy God and deserve a just punishment.
This glorious law reveals that we are inexcusable and we need help. But the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. For what the law could not do (because of the weakness of our flesh) was to give us the ability to overcome the flesh.
Consequently, the Lord provided temporary, sacrificial provisions to cleanse His people. Until the time of Jesus when God would once and for all release the prisoners of sin through His blood shed on the mercy seat in heaven. Jesus overcame sin, condemning the sin that resides in the flesh of man. So in Romans 7 when Paul said, “I do that which I don’t want to do and that which I want to do, I’m powerless to do it”; he was revealing the state of an unregenerated man trying to live by the letter of the law. O wretched man that I am! We are powerless to overcome sin, even by our strictest adherence to the law.
It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit living within me that I can truly overcome sin. I no longer live in sin, because it no longer has a stronghold in my life. I’m no longer a prisoner to sin’s power. I am more than a conqueror. This is why Scripture declares that those who continue to live a life of sin, do not know God. It’s not of my own doing, but the Spirit of Him who raised Christ from the dead dwells within me and gives me the ability to conquer every sin, every addiction, every thought, every evil intent and motive of the heart.
This is the glorious ministry of righteousness. If you say, “I cannot overcome *this*”, then either you do not have His power residing within you, you refuse to obey Him, or you truly do not love Him more than you love your sin. As a dog returns to his vomit…. The Bible declares that we will know a tree by its fruit. Social media is not fellowship. It’s not communing with the saints. You can hide behind a screen and Scripture and be full of darkness. Nobody knows if your life is still lived in sin or in righteousness.
If you continue to live a life of sin, you will not inherit eternal life. Stop deceiving yourself and others. Stop making excuses for bad behavior. A past confession is not a future promise. Be sure, your sin will find you out. Still, none of this is our own doing. It is all Jesus- His sufferings, His cross, His death, His resurrection, His glory, His righteousness dwelling in me giving me the power to abide in righteousness and overcome sin and it’s desires. As our whole dependence is upon the Lord, so the whole glory belongs to Him alone. Thank God for this unspeakable gift!#runyourrace
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
