Living by faith really works
by Dr. Robert Wilkin
The Apostle Paul urged believers to be transformed in their thinking and behavior by abiding in God’s Word. He wrote, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
He admonished believers, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”(Romans 12:2) to the Corinthian Christians he wrote, “But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Regular intake of the Word of God is just as vital for believers as eating food. Indeed, it is their spiritual food. While it is true that all believers are spiritually free from bondage to sin, they experience that freedom only if they are abiding in Christ’s teachings. The believer who fails to abide in Christ’s word is [in bondage] enslaved to various sins. His is not the abundant life that God wants him to enjoy. Following Christ in obedience is the only way to be truly free of the bonds of sin and to experience the life as God meant for it to be. (Romans 6:13; James 1:12)
We can and should experience freedom from bondage to sin. (Romans 8:2) It makes no sense to be enslaved by sin when God is ever ready to set you free: “Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” (John 8:31-32)
(Excerpts from: Confident In Christ, Living By Faith Really Works. - Dr. Robert Wilkin)