If we are going to experience freedom — we have to understand that “sin” is our capacity to live independently of relationship with Christ & it is distorted desires that lead us there. Unmasking those desires and understanding the true desires is a part of the process. Below is a “fleshing out” of the imagery that Paul presents in Romans 6 by pastor/author John Piper —
“Sin is the enemy, the rebel, the pretender to the throne. And the main way sin does battle against us is to turn servants into traitors. It turns servant-desires into conspirators against the throne. Desires which were appointed by God to serve us – like desire for food, desire for drink, desire for sex, desire for rest, desire for friends, desire for approval – are attacked by sin and captured and corrupted and turned into betrayers. Then these desires – now in the service of sin instead of God – lure us to obey them. When that happens we hand over our members – eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet, sexual organs, vocal cords, etc. – to serve these desires and their master, sin, and our members become weapons of unrighteousness.” John Piper, from his study of Romans – posted on desiringgod.org
3 responses so far ↓
Natalie // September 26, 2008 at 4:15 am
I read these scriptures and become so motivated to be “righteous”, but then I fall into the same old routine of sinning.
How do I live in this world, in this materialistic, gotta have it all to be someone culture, and really offer myself to God? How do I not allow sin to be my master? What does that really look like to not be a slave to sin?
Everytime I mess up I feel like I have to start all over again and I beat myself up for it!
akalt // September 26, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Natalie, Thanks for the question/comment! Being honest about the struggle is so vital to the process. And to respond to your questions specifically – “how do I live in this world …?” Step by step – moment by moment – depending upon the Father. Think about it this way – rather than letting the struggles and temptations discourage you — allow them to be a push to depend upon the Father and go to him as a desperate child in need of “Dad.”
At the end of your comment, you mention that you “feel like you have to start all over …” — that’s ok. Begin to see it from the Father’s perspective: you’re running along and trip — He desires for you to let Him pick you up and help you keep running. He great passion is to see you run and as a loving Father – He wants to be there for you and help you as you depend upon Him. Falling is a part of the process — trouble comes when we stay down, run the other way, or refuse help because we are condemning ourselves. Your acts of sin (past, present, and future) were taken care of on the cross — no self-condemnation is needed or even helpful.
To answer the questions “How do I not allow sin to be my master?” and “What does that really look like to not be a slave to sin?” What is so interesting about your question is that this is exactly where Paul goes next in Romans — in vv. 15-23, we look at being a slave to God. Each step of the way, the flow of Romans takes up to a place where we want more and the next step fills in the gaps. So, come Sunday for the next part of the study – but let me say this — it is a process and we stop “allowing sin to be master” when we allow God to be our master. And, when the lure of sin is lessened because we see it for what it is & the lure of the Father is awakened in us as something better.
By the way – our “arrival” happens when we step into the presence of God in eternity — not in this life. We just get to move forward step by step in learning how to love God and therefore be able to love others. The goal is relationship – not righteousness. Righteousness is the result that God brings when we’re connected to Him.
Natalie // September 26, 2008 at 10:19 pm
akalt,
Thanks for the response, it was encouraging, actually.
I just have to remember that this is a process, this letting go of sin and not being a slave to it. This process is not just something you save up for and go buy at the store! Then you take the magic pill and you’re fixed!!
But what hit home the most was when you said at the end:
“The goal is relationship – not righteousness. Righteousness is the result that God brings when we’re connected to Him.”
Wow, that is so true! I get so caught up with trying to do what is right and not really working on a loving relationship with my Heavenly father! He is my father, the ultimate loving and merciful father.