Scripture Reference: II Corinthians 5:17
The apostle John tells us these words recorded in I John 3:5that says, "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and inhim is no sin." It's very plain to see that "in Christ" is no sin, so if youclaim to be in Christ and still commit sin, then you are only deceivingyourself. Paul tells us that if any man be in Christ he is a new creature andold things (sinful life) has passed away and all things have become new. Now ifyou claim to be in Christ and still live in and commit sin, then you areabsolutely not a new creature, but you are still the old creature and are yetdead in your sins. Why do I say this? Because there is no sin in Christ. We areeither the old creature or a new creature. The old creature lives in sinfulfilling the lusts and sinful desires of his flesh, but the new creature doesnot live in sin and fulfilling the lusts and desires of his flesh. Paul tellsus these words as stated in Galations 5:24 that says, "And they that areChrist's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."
This crucifying the flesh of it's affections and lusts meansthat the old sinful man is dead and is no longer to respond to the temptationsof the flesh. Until the state of perfection has been reached, sin is still inthe flesh, but we are told by the apostle Paul these words as stated in Romans6:12 that says, "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that yeshould obey it in the lusts thereof." And the apostle James tells us thesewords as recorded in James 1:14 that says, "But every man is tempted, when heis drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." A temptation is not a sin unlessyou give in to that temptation and then it becomes sin. Paul clearly tells usnot to let sin reign in our mortal body, which is telling us not to yield toit's temptations. A sinner without Christ cannot resist the temptations of sin,because the power of sin is greater than the power of man's will. But throughChrist that strengthens us we can do all things, as Paul said in Philippians4:13. So if you cannot obey what Paul says and not allow sin to reign in yourmortal body, then you are still in sin and certainly not in Christ.
In I Corinthians 15:34 we find the apostle Paul saying thesewords, "Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge ofGod: I speak this to your shame." And again if you cannot obey this, then youare still in your sin,`and sin yet has dominion over you. The many falseprophets doctrines, which are Satanic inspired, they teach that sin in yourlife has been covered by the blood of Christ and God no longer sees them. Thisteaching came straight from the pits of hell and is damming the souls ofmultiplied millions today. In Hebrews 4:13 we find Gods word saying, "Neitheris there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things arenaked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." According towhat this verse is telling us, sin is not hidden from the eyes of God. The "allthings" certainly includes sin and is very much opened to the eyes of God, butfalse teachings today are saying that God does not see the sins of the millionsof confessing Christians that still live in and commit sin. This teaching saysthat the blood of Christ covers their sin, but in Hebrews 10:29 says, "Of howmuch sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath troddenunder foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant,wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto theSpirit of grace?
To believe that Christ's blood coves sin is actuallycounting his blood as being unholy. It was the unholy blood of animals thatcovered sin; not the precious and holy blood of Christ. So anybody who believesthat Christ shed his blood to cover their sins is guilty of believing that hisblood is unholy, which would mean that Christ could not be a perfect sacrificefor sin. Christ's blood was not tainted with sin like man's blood is, becauseJoseph was not his father, but was conceived by the Holy Ghost. It takes aperfect sacrifice to put into effect a perfect redemption plan and God himselfwas the only one that could become that supreme sacrifice of which he did inthe person of Jesus Christ. The blood of Christ takes away sin; not cover it.Christ's blood was shed for the NT covenant, which contains the teachings of Christ.Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. A covenant comesinto force after the death of it's testator. Christ is the testator of the NTcovenant and it was his blood that put it into power and effect.
Most don't realize the truth about the shed blood of Christ.Even the OT covenant was put into effect by the shedding of the blood of ananimal. May think to claim the blood is sufficient for salvation, but they failto realize it's not his blood alone that cleanses from sin, but rather hisblood put into power the gospel. It's the gospel that is the power of God untosalvation, which are the many teachings found throughout the NT covenantbeginning with the book of Matthew all the way through to the book ofRevelations. Most confessing Christians today don't really know what the gospelof Christ is. Most think its a mere belief on his death, his burial, and hisresurrection, but this is only what happened to him at the end of his ministry.Yes we must believe and confess that he died, and was buried, and rose again,but it's his teachings found throughout the new testament scriptures that hasbecome the power of God unto eternal salvation unto all who believe and obeyit.
It's belief and obedience to the one true gospel that willplace you in Christ making you an entirely new creature, but to believe anothergospel will sear your conscience causing you to speak lies in hypocrisy. So itmakes all the difference in the world as to what you believe and have beenbelieving, because only the truth can and will set you free and give you anovercoming testimony. Christ is coming for overcomers and in Revelation 3:21 itsays, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even asI also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Again let mesay that you are either in Christ where there is life and no sin, or in sinwhere there is no Christ, but death... Where exactly are you??