Our Heavenly Father created us in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:27). But, when Adam chose to disobey our Father and obeyed the voice of the evil one, he took on the image and likeness of the evil one. Adam created a new identity for himself and the whole human race; this was the first identity theft.

 

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, so death spread to all people [no one being able to stop it or escape its power] because they all sinned. Romans 5:12 AMP

 

The term “Sinner” comes from the word sin; sin is an archery term that means “to miss the mark or the bullseye.” In other words, a Sinner is one born to miss the mark of God. Strong’s Concordance states that a Sinner is one who is condemned, bears the blame, and has been led astray.

 

We were born the offspring of Adam and led astray by the evil one from God. Through Moses, God gave us His Law to show us who we had become, Sinners who were lost and unable to love and please a Holy God. There were 613 laws given by God for man to obey and to disobey just one, we violated them ALL.

 

To be sure, sin was in the world before the Law was given, but sin is not
charged against anyone’s account where there is no Law. Romans 5:13 NIV

 

Our Father created us in His image to live dependent on Him, and in union and fellowship with Him; never to follow rules. As His children, we were created to be righteous, holy, pleasing, obedient, loving, and so much more. He is the Bullseye! 

 

But how could Sinners who had missed God’s mark be any different when they were born unrighteous, unholy, sinful, selfish, disobedient, and hateful? Here is how:

 

Before the earth was created, our Father knew the choices Adam would make to disobey Him and to live independently of Him. So, God chose to become human in the body of our Lord Jesus Christ to take on his guilt, bear his shame, remove all barriers to restore mankind’s True Identity as “The Children and Offspring of God.”

 

¹⁷ For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one (Adam); much more they which receive abundance of grace and the Gift of Righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.

 

¹⁸ Therefore, as by the offence of one (Adam) judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one, the Free Gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

 

¹⁹ For as by one man’s (Adam’s) disobedience many were made Sinners, so by the obedience of one (Jesus Christ) shall many be made righteous. Romans 5:17-19 AMP

 

When we gave our lives to Jesus Christ, we were born again from above! In Jesus Christ, WE ARE NOW righteous, holy, pleasing, obedient, and loving Children of God. We received a NEW nature and identity.

 

IN OUR UNION WITH JESUS CHRIST, WE HIT THE BULLSEYE!

 

During a conference I hosted several years ago, I asked, “Since we have a NEW nature (spirit) and Jesus Christ is our Life, why do we still sin?” Here are some of the answers:

 

1. Because I am a sinner.
2. Because I am human.
3. Because I am weak, and sin is stronger than I am.
4. Because the devil makes me sin.
5. Because sin still lives in my body, I obey it when it speaks to me.
6. Because I am not perfect, I will always sin.
7. Because I am being sanctified.

 

What is your answer?

 

Interestingly enough, no one said, “Because I choose to.” With our NEW nature, we no longer want to sin; sin makes us feel yucky. 

 

When we look at the answers above, none of them are true, even being sanctified. The word sanctified means “set apart.” I Corinthians 6:11 AMP states,

 

“And such WERE some of you (before you believed). But you WERE washed (by the atoning sacrifice of Christ), you WERE SANCTIFIED (set apart for God, and MADE HOLY), you WERE JUSTIFIED (declared free of guilt) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Holy Spirit of our God (the source of the believer’s new life and changed behavior). “

 

The truth be told, we are being transformed as we renew our mind to the truth of who our Lord says WE ARE rather than mixing Law and Grace. The Law requires our efforts to be GOOD ENOUGH, but Grace says WE ARE, and WE WERE.

 

One person quoted Paul’s dilemma with sin from Romans 7: 15-20 AMP.  

So, I find it to be the Law [of my inner self] that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.

 ²² For I joyfully delight in the Law of God in my inner self [with my new nature],

 ²³ but I see a different law and rule of action in the members of my body [in its appetites and desires], waging war against the Law of my mind and subduing me and making me a prisoner of the Law of sin which is within my members.

 ²⁴ Wretched and miserable man that I am! Who will [rescue me and set me free from this body of death [this corrupt, mortal existence]?

 

The person who asked this question left out an important verse to our brother Paul’s conclusion. Read the rest of his discovery.

 

²⁵ Thanks be to God [for my deliverance] through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand, I myself, with my mind, serve the Law of God, but on the other, with the flesh, I will serve sin.

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Our brother Paul concluded we are FREE to serve Jesus Christ (the Perfect Son) or our old Masters, Sin, the Law, and the flesh. It is our choice.

 

There is never any condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.

Jesus died once and for all for all our sins, past, present, and future,

Sin can’t separate us from our identity and Father ever again, even if we make a choice to sin!

 

The fear of missing the mark or sinning is over; Jesus Christ lives within us. Instead of spending our time worried about sin, we can spend our time enjoying God. In our weakness, we can turn to Him. Every time I have sinned; it was because I didn’t wait on the Lord to reveal His plans for me. I wasn’t sensitive to the heart of my Lord and His leading, or I was following the dictates of the old flesh patterns. 

 

I have grown a little wiser over the years. I have learned to hate sin, the flesh, and the Law. Therefore, I CHOOSE to love and to remain sensitive to the heart of my Lord, so that I won’t grieve Him, my Father, or the Holy Spirit living within me. How about you?

 

Here is a beautiful scripture that keeps me walking steadily with my Father, Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

 

But I say, WALK habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the (flesh) [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].

¹⁷ For the (flesh) has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the (flesh); for these are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. Galatians 5:16-17 AMP

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Enjoy Christ, Enjoy (Zoe) Your Life!