Is a Sinless Life Possible (Part 3 of 5)

Paul frequently framed the life of a believer in terms of a battle between two opposing forces: the flesh and the Spirit.  In Paul’s writings, "the flesh” is consistently portrayed as the unstoppable superhuman force “in opposition” preventing a believer from doing the works of God, while “the Spirit” offers the Divine Assistance capable of overcoming the flesh.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” (Gal 5:16-17). 

According to Paul, a human being does not have the power to overcome “the flesh”, because “it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,” (Rom 8:7). 

“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Rom 8:6-8)

The only way the flesh can be overcome is through the Divine Assistance of the Spirit, as written, “Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh,” and “if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” (Rom 8:11).

The Law reveals the type and nature of sin, but the Law is not the source of sin; “May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law,” (Rom 7:7).  Sin existed before the Law, “sin indeed was in the world before the law was given,” (Rom 5:13).  Sin did not originate because of the Law, as some might argue, but through the weakness of man, as testified by the writer of Hebrews, “for finding fault with them (the people of Israel), He says, ‘Behold the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘When I will effect a New Covenant with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah,” (Heb 8:8). 

If sin is to be eliminated, God must either change the definition of sin, which requires a change in the Law, or God must change the nature of man.  Many believers espouse the former approach, a lowering of the standard until the Law is eliminated, “where there is no law, there is not transgression,” (Rom 4:15).  One need look no farther than our current society, to understand the popularity of this approach taught under the general heading of "tolerance".

However, the Law has not been eliminated or altered.  It remains as unchanging and eternal as the very nature of God the Author, as Jesus said, “Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished,” (Matt 5:18). Since the Law cannot be altered or removed, sin can only be eliminated by transforming the nature of man, removing man’s inclination toward sin, “You must be born again.”

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:5-7)

At the very heart of the New Covenant we find God’s promise to change the nature of man by writing the Law on a person’s heart (Jer 31:33-34), empowering each person to live a life free from sin.  The fact that this has not occurred in every believer stands as evidence that the fullness of the New Covenant has not come into effect.

-- Scott