It’s All In The Desire

[NetChaplain]

What is a “sinner”? Though all sin (Rom 3:23), a sinner is not merely one who sins, for Scripture always differentiates between sinners and the righteous. Humility reminds us that none are “just” within themselves (Ecc 7:20), because it is “not I but Christ” where righteousness dwells in the redeemed. The separation-point between the sin in the sinner, and the sin in the righteous lies in the fact that the righteous do not desire sin, which cannot be said of one who is unconcerned about sinning.

The “glory” of Christ in us is this, O ye “household of faith,”—which is the “household of God,” that sin is in us—but we are not in it (Rom 8:9): and “those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God” (Rom 8:8 NLT). The “desire” God works in us (Phil 2:13) contains the fullness of what and who we are in the Lord Jesus, resulting in our ominous hatred for the old man and its “members” (Col 3:5, 9).

Though I still sin with my old nature (Rom 7:17, 20) it is not my desire with the new nature (Rom 7:15); and it is in this light of “unwilling” desire (Heb 10:26) to sin where God sees us in Christ, which is always as a “captive” against the will in the soul of the new nature (Rom 7:23). It is in this inability of sin to cause us to desire sin that manifests our freedom from its “reign” and “domination” (Rom 6:12, 14). Much like the boy in school who was told to read standing up but said out loud, “I will stand but inside I’m still sitting!”
-NC

 

[HisFollower]

Thank you for your comment, I agree and would just add that seeing that faith cometh [only] by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17) and hearing as we ought to know is not merely listening, but is our submitting to and relying upon the Word of God: therefore as in (Romans 14:23) that whatsoever is not of submitting to and relying upon God's Word is sin. And in this we behold as you noted God's purpose or way for us to deal with sin who do truly seek to make the sincere effort to do the things which He say whom we call Lord, Lord (Luke 6:46). And [for me anyway] we further behold how the difference is wrought in the penitent sinner compared to the impenitent sinner in (1 John 3:8-10) that the person that committeth [puts their trust into the hands and power of] sin is of the devil: contrariwise whosoever is born of God does not commit [put their trust into the hands and power of] sin; and in this are the children of God manifested, and likewise the children of the devil.
Again thank you for your insight: the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

 

[NetChaplain]

Thank you for your comment, I agree and would just add that seeing that faith cometh [only] by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17) and hearing as we ought to know is not merely listening, but is our submitting to and relying upon the Word of God: therefore as in (Romans 14:23) that whatsoever is not of submitting to and relying upon God's Word is sin.

HI HF, and thanks for your reply and comments! I'm in agreement with you here, and I see it that all who are reborn will "desire" submission to God because He "works" this in us (Phil 2:13). Therefore those who do not desire this submission is because He hasn't been in them.