Essay on Sin and Our Identity In Christ Jesus
It is also taught among us that since the fall of Adam, all men who are born according to the course of nature are conceived and born in sin. That is, all men are full of evil lust and inclinations from their mothers’ wombs and are unable by nature to have genuine fear of God and true faith in God. Moreover, this inborn sickness and hereditary sin is indeed a sin and condemns to the eternal wrath of God all those who are not born again through Baptism and the Holy Spirit (Augsburg Confession, Articles of Faith and Doctrine).
In 1 Corinthians 15:45, Paul tells us, “Thus it is written,’ The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.’ Once baptized by water and the spirit, we are full of love and life, and this is all done by the life-giving spirit of Jesus Christ.
When we are baptized and confess that Jesus Christ is our Saviour, we are born again from above. As a result, we understand our identity in Christ in Him today—not in the distant future. Life’s chaotic pace is no longer the norm; everything is brought into order. It is abundantly clear that the gospel is about life—a life meant to be shared with everyone.
Essay Summary
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- Understanding one’s identity in Christ brings clarity and order to life, emphasizing the importance of sharing the gospel.
- Despite this understanding, the issue of recurring sin remains, necessitating personal responsibility to forgive oneself and rule over sin.
- Repentance involves a change of direction and heart, emphasizing doing what is right as Scripture teaches.
- The Bible stresses the significance of forgiveness but does not explicitly address self-forgiveness. Instead, it highlights the need to let go of past regrets.
- Harsh reactions to genuine repentance can allow sin to dominate, leading to severe psychological consequences, including depression and questioning one’s faith.
- The good news is that Jesus offers forgiveness for all sins, and individuals are encouraged to partner with Him to rule over sin.
- Various biblical verses guide resisting sin.
- God’s mercy and grace offer second chances, underscored by passages such as 1 John 1:9, Lamentations 3:22-23, and Romans 5:8. The parable of the prodigal son also demonstrates God’s unwavering love and forgiveness.
There is more to bring to the surface. Even with understanding who and what you are in Christ and the clarity of the scriptures now blossoming within you, the issue of sin remains. There is an understanding that we have an advocate who speaks for us to God as we repent of our sins and seek forgiveness. There is an understanding that sins are forgiven upon repenting, while elements within us beckon a return to those forgiven sins. Two actions are needed to deal with recurring sinfulness: 1. Forgive yourself, and 2. As God told Cain in Genesis 4:7, “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
If I were to write that verse differently, it would say: If you repent (change direction, have a change of heart) and forgive yourself, you are forgiven. But if you repent and do not forgive yourself (not changing direction, not having a change of heart), sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must deny yourself and rule over sin. This would also apply to forgiving others, as the Lord taught us how to pray in Matthew 6:9-14. If all that is done is expecting others to forgive while not forgiving others, sin is crouching at your door, desiring to have you. It does not matter how enlightened or devoted you are because you know who and what you are in Christ Jesus—you must participate by ruling over sin in your life. Jesus forgave you by sacrificing himself for the sins of the world; why do we persist in refusing His gift by continuing to allow sin to rule over us?
Repentance is about a change of direction. Repentance does not contain a component of forgiveness, thankfulness, or repeat the sin structure. If you notice what God said to Cain concerning ruling over sin, God did not indicate that sin was the result of the devil tempting him. No, God told Cain that it was his sinfulness because he was not doing the right thing and that he “Cain” must rule over it or be overcome by sin.
In the New Testament, John tells us in 1 John 2:29, “If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.” In 1 John 1:8-10 John says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. He is faithful if we confess our sins and will forgive and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar, and his word is not in us.” Notice that John repeats what God told Cain in Genesis: those who do what is right are born of God.
The Bible has much to say about forgiveness but does not explicitly address forgiving oneself. This concept is more psychological than scriptural. Nevertheless, we need God’s forgiveness and the willingness to let past regrets and sinfulness go. If I ask God to forgive me, I partner with Him because as He releases the sin from my account, I must do the same; that is what is meant by doing the right thing and ruling over sin. Cf. Genesis 4:7.
What are the significant unintended consequences of a harsh response to genuine repentance? Such reactions allow sin to take control and overshadow true forgiveness and healing.
Psychologically, what could happen to someone who does not change direction is broad and devastating. For example, some characteristics of allowing sin to rule are depression, unworthiness, questioning if truly saved, departing from the faith, turning to alcohol, illegal substances, pornography, masturbation, adultery, theft, lying, and many more characteristics. The good news is that Jesus has died to forgive all those characteristics and others. However, you must do your part, change direction and heart, and partner with Jesus by ruling over sin. To help out, God has given us instructions that help us in ruling over sin. Below are a few verses from the Bible that can assist in ruling over sin. Exodus 23:2, 33; 34:12; Deuteronomy 6:18; Proverbs 1:15; 4:14; 21:3; 22:24; 23:6; 24:1;1 Psalm 1:1; 1 Corinthians 5:9, 11; 1 Corinthians 15:7; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Romans 6:11-12; 2 Timothy 3:2-5; James 4:7.
The good news is there is a second chance.
- 1 John 1:9 – “Confess our sins, and He will forgive and cleanse us.”
- Lamentations 3:22-23 – “The Lord’s love never ends; His mercies are new each morning.”
- Romans 5:8 – “God showed His love for us, even when we were sinners, by sending Jesus to die for us.”
These verses powerfully illustrate that God’s mercy and grace outweigh our shortcomings, inviting us to embrace a new beginning.
One poignant example is the parable of the prodigal son found in Luke 15:11-32. This story beautifully illustrates a father’s boundless love for his son, showcasing his willingness to forgive even after experiencing deep disappointment. When the son squanders his inheritance and descends into hardship, the father does not harbor resentment. Instead, he eagerly awaits his son’s return, ready to embrace him with open arms and offer him a new beginning filled with hope and redemption.
A notable example is Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, who denied knowing Him three times in a moment of fear and uncertainty. Despite this painful betrayal, Jesus extended an olive branch of forgiveness, demonstrating profound compassion. He not only forgave Peter but also restored him to a position of leadership among the disciples. This powerful act illustrates that no matter how grave our mistakes may be, God continually offers us opportunities for redemption and a fresh start.
In conclusion, while many individuals grasp their true identity in Christ Jesus, they often find themselves drawn to what seems appealing or beneficial, even when it contradicts the teachings of Scripture. Being devoted to Christ carries less weight in contemporary society than in earlier generations, where commitment and sacrifice were more visibly prioritized. Today, it is essential for all believers to reconsider their dedication and actively re-engage in a life of service to Him. It is crucial not to allow sin to take root in your life; instead, take control and strive to overcome it, ensuring that your walk with Christ remains firm and steadfast.
Who and what you are is hidden in Christ; 1 Corinthians 6:17; 1 John 3-1-2; Romans 12:2; Romans 8:14-15; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:9-10. As for living a Christian life, If you are rooted in the faith, the Christian life is the natural fruit that flows from love (Galatians 5:6).
May you have a steadfast heart dedicated to serving Christ, the elect, and all you encounter.
Essay by Michael A. Kovach
8 January 2025
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