Christ in you-The foundation of victory

It is vital to understand that Jesus didn't die just to take you to heaven, but to indwell and empower you here on earth! The same GOD that spoke John 3:16, also spoke Romans 6:14, "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace."


Yet, you may well be asking, "Because I struggle so much, I wonder how I could really know victory?" In Romans 6:6, Paul makes the answer beautifully clear. "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." This simple verse is the very foundation of your victory over sin.


In fact, the verses above can become your personal "declaration of independence" over the power and domination of sin. When CHRIST died for your sins, He not only removed the penalty of sin, but also the power. By the Holy Spirit, the same risen CHRIST now indwells every saved person. The CHRISTian life is not you trying to grit your teeth and somehow live for Him, it's learning to let Him live through you! We do this through a moment by moment faith in His indwelling life and power.


Galatians 2:20 further describes the liberating truth of CHRIST living in us. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."


Do you see it? When you receive CHRIST, all that He accomplished on the cross is fully alive and active in you. Because you are "in CHRIST", His death to sin's penalty and power is now your death to sin's penalty and power. JESUS CHRIST in all His victory literally abides within you and can live through you right now.


So in the coming posts, when you are convicted of sin, don't despair. Look straight to JESUS to overcome its grip. Just as you are forgiven by His sacrificial death, you are empowered by His resurrection life working in you. Let this cleansing process point you straight to JESUS and victory, not to yourself and defeat.


Yet you may well be asking, "How do I do this?" In Colossians 2:6, we find GOD's marvelous answer. "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you in him." We walk in CHRIST the same way we received Him. So how did you receive JESUS? You received Him by simple faith. You simply took JESUS at His word and trusted Him to save you. And friend, that's exactly how you walk in victory over sin and self. When you face temptation and weakness, you simply claim CHRIST's forgiveness and indwelling power to be your victory. You choose to turn from the sin and trust JESUS for His power to live through you. And what happens if you still feel tempted? You just keep trusting and resisting the sin. In GOD's time, you will see complete and total victory. JESUS CHRIST cannot fail!