I have so much to say regarding this that this is not the spot to make such a huge comment. I will leave this o the table and you pick one item to discuss in my private chat.:
1. Holiness is God’s Command
• God calls us to live holy lives now, not just in eternity. (1 Peter 1:15-16)
2. The Power of the Holy Spirit
• The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live righteously, overcoming sin’s hold. (Romans 8:11)
3. Your New Identity in Christ
• You are no longer a slave to sin but a new creation, defined by righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
4. Faith Produces Obedience
• True faith leads to action, aligning your life with God’s will. (James 2:26)
5. Victory Over Sin
• Sin no longer has dominion over you; through grace, you can overcome. (Romans 6:14)
6. The Word and the Spirit
• The Word reveals God’s will, and the Spirit empowers you to follow it. (John 14:26)
7. Holiness is a Gift of Grace
• Holiness is God’s work in you, requiring your cooperation through faith. (Titus 2:11-12)
8. Living as an Overcomer
• Holiness is not a future hope; it is a present reality for those walking in the Spirit. (Revelation 3:21)
Absoultely right. The main focus in the post was abot sin, and why we still struggle with sin. I am aware that this is only one side of the coin and that I should have addressed the other side as well.
Hello, there! I'm also a fellow Lutheran and appreciated your article. For the most part, it seems very doctrinally sound, which can't be said about all or even most Lutherans. I did find it interesting, however, to read about your take on sanctification. Generally, among Lutheran circles, we think of the whole process of salvation being done by God (from justification to sanctification). I noticed that you used the words "free will," but I'm used to talking about sanctification being the work of the Holy Spirit. As you said in the reply to the other comment, we are completely powerless against sin, which is why we cannot "by our own reason or senses come to Him" (to paraphrase Luther's Small Catechism). We recognize the doctrine of election, that God chooses to give faith to believers, not because of anything that we've done, but because He is merciful. I realize you assumed this perspective when talking about justification (I was glad to see your use of "simul justus et peccator" - at the same time, saint and sinner). However, I think that this perspective applies not only to justification but also to sanctification. We associate the work of sanctification with the Holy Spirit who daily causes contrition and repentance. We cannot defeat our sin with our own human will - only through the strength and power of God and His righteousness can we overcome the wiles of the devil. I just wanted to share my thoughts on that - let me know what you think. I'm really glad to have run across your Substack (I subscribed without hesitation) and am so excited to read more - you are a great writer!
Thank you for your comment, yes, my understanding has changed and developed in the meantime. Although I still have problems with it from time to time. But that's a good point about sanctification. That's also what I experience myself every day. Sin is far too strong without God. Thank you :)
I just subscribed and this is the first article of yours that I have read. I’m probably fifty years older than you but you can read and write in at least two languages while I am still struggling with the only language I know! You are to be commended for that. You are correct about justification and sanctification. I am a bit concerned about your pacified approach to the question of sin in the believer. The whole book of Romans is about sin. Romans 8:1-23 gives us the goal of becoming “Joint-heirs with Christ” by putting to death our carnal flesh through the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit. You don’t do that through appeasement. You do that through active warfare against our sinful nature. Once you learn the secret of walking in the Spirit rather than in the flesh you will be able to cry “ABBA, Father”. Most Christians are in bondage to sin and/or to a religious system. Some religious systems teach that the “sin gifts” ended when the original apostles died off. They make that claim without any evidence and in-spite of the historical evidence that the spiritual gifts continued in every century including our own time. Your theology seems to reflect that faulty history and teaching so your conclusion is that we have no choice but to be passive about sins. Walk in the Spirit my friend.
Hey Steve, thanks for the constructive criticism, I'll give it some thought. It is of course difficult to pack all aspects into a small article without neglecting something or focusing on something else. In this case, the sin that we also experience as Christians, in the sense that we will never be completely free from it. In any case, we Christians should still fight against sin, or even better: flee from it. That we are completely powerless over our sins should of course not come across that way. As you said, we are a new creation in Christ.
I have so much to say regarding this that this is not the spot to make such a huge comment. I will leave this o the table and you pick one item to discuss in my private chat.:
1. Holiness is God’s Command
• God calls us to live holy lives now, not just in eternity. (1 Peter 1:15-16)
2. The Power of the Holy Spirit
• The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live righteously, overcoming sin’s hold. (Romans 8:11)
3. Your New Identity in Christ
• You are no longer a slave to sin but a new creation, defined by righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
4. Faith Produces Obedience
• True faith leads to action, aligning your life with God’s will. (James 2:26)
5. Victory Over Sin
• Sin no longer has dominion over you; through grace, you can overcome. (Romans 6:14)
6. The Word and the Spirit
• The Word reveals God’s will, and the Spirit empowers you to follow it. (John 14:26)
7. Holiness is a Gift of Grace
• Holiness is God’s work in you, requiring your cooperation through faith. (Titus 2:11-12)
8. Living as an Overcomer
• Holiness is not a future hope; it is a present reality for those walking in the Spirit. (Revelation 3:21)
Absoultely right. The main focus in the post was abot sin, and why we still struggle with sin. I am aware that this is only one side of the coin and that I should have addressed the other side as well.
Hello, there! I'm also a fellow Lutheran and appreciated your article. For the most part, it seems very doctrinally sound, which can't be said about all or even most Lutherans. I did find it interesting, however, to read about your take on sanctification. Generally, among Lutheran circles, we think of the whole process of salvation being done by God (from justification to sanctification). I noticed that you used the words "free will," but I'm used to talking about sanctification being the work of the Holy Spirit. As you said in the reply to the other comment, we are completely powerless against sin, which is why we cannot "by our own reason or senses come to Him" (to paraphrase Luther's Small Catechism). We recognize the doctrine of election, that God chooses to give faith to believers, not because of anything that we've done, but because He is merciful. I realize you assumed this perspective when talking about justification (I was glad to see your use of "simul justus et peccator" - at the same time, saint and sinner). However, I think that this perspective applies not only to justification but also to sanctification. We associate the work of sanctification with the Holy Spirit who daily causes contrition and repentance. We cannot defeat our sin with our own human will - only through the strength and power of God and His righteousness can we overcome the wiles of the devil. I just wanted to share my thoughts on that - let me know what you think. I'm really glad to have run across your Substack (I subscribed without hesitation) and am so excited to read more - you are a great writer!
Thank you for your comment, yes, my understanding has changed and developed in the meantime. Although I still have problems with it from time to time. But that's a good point about sanctification. That's also what I experience myself every day. Sin is far too strong without God. Thank you :)
I just subscribed and this is the first article of yours that I have read. I’m probably fifty years older than you but you can read and write in at least two languages while I am still struggling with the only language I know! You are to be commended for that. You are correct about justification and sanctification. I am a bit concerned about your pacified approach to the question of sin in the believer. The whole book of Romans is about sin. Romans 8:1-23 gives us the goal of becoming “Joint-heirs with Christ” by putting to death our carnal flesh through the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit. You don’t do that through appeasement. You do that through active warfare against our sinful nature. Once you learn the secret of walking in the Spirit rather than in the flesh you will be able to cry “ABBA, Father”. Most Christians are in bondage to sin and/or to a religious system. Some religious systems teach that the “sin gifts” ended when the original apostles died off. They make that claim without any evidence and in-spite of the historical evidence that the spiritual gifts continued in every century including our own time. Your theology seems to reflect that faulty history and teaching so your conclusion is that we have no choice but to be passive about sins. Walk in the Spirit my friend.
Hey Steve, thanks for the constructive criticism, I'll give it some thought. It is of course difficult to pack all aspects into a small article without neglecting something or focusing on something else. In this case, the sin that we also experience as Christians, in the sense that we will never be completely free from it. In any case, we Christians should still fight against sin, or even better: flee from it. That we are completely powerless over our sins should of course not come across that way. As you said, we are a new creation in Christ.