Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. Galatians 5:24 WEB
Faith in Christ saves us through the grace of God. And yet, as we read in James 2:26, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. KJV” Paul teaches strongly that faith is the way to salvation. He asserts that our works cannot save us. This was a point of contention in the early church. Men struggled to understand. Some thought that without the threat of punishment for sin, why would anyone avoid it?
Paul gives a great reason for why we are saved by faith and not works in Ephesians 2:8-9 writing, “for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. WEB” This explanation is so clear that it settles the argument for most. The glory is to Christ and God and not to our actions or “works.”
Then, why should man avoid sin? Paul says that those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with Christ. They live in the Spirit and not in the flesh. The things of the world have lost their appeal.
Guard Against Sin
Believers are still sometimes tempted to sin, but sin puts our salvation in jeopardy. When we belong to Christ, we must guard ourselves against backsliding. We learn how to fight our sinful nature in James 4:7 as it reads, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. KJV” Faith in Christ saves us but that does not mean that we should continue to sin.
If we commit an act that we know is not within the will of God for our lives, we should turn from that behavior and to God, confessing our wrong and asking for his forgiveness. Sinful people will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. Repeatedly sinning will numb our conscience and eventually we may be given over to it, failing to repent.
Jesus warns against corruption and sin in Matthew 7:22-23 saying, “Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’ WEB” Works cannot save us. We are saved by faith, but we demonstrate our faith with works. Faith without works is dead.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for your grace and that I belong to Christ. Guide me in your will today. Give me the things I will need for today and forgive me for my offenses. I forgive those who have offended me. I die each day, crucifying my flesh that I may live by your Spirit. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: An Eternal Covenant
