TEXT: Romans 6:14
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
MESSAGE
If you've ever been an addict of a vice, you'd understand what I mean. Much as people may think you enjoy that vice, it actually feels like a prison to you. I mean, I was there. I prayed, fasted and wept but the chain was too strong for me. I was desperate till I despaired, yet no hope. Oh what a miserable soul I was. In fact I could relate with Paul when he said, For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death. (Rom 7:22-24). No one else could better paint the picture of my misery than this.
If you've ever been an addict of a vice, you'd understand what I mean. Much as people may think you enjoy that vice, it actually feels like a prison to you. I mean, I was there. I prayed, fasted and wept but the chain was too strong for me. I was desperate till I despaired, yet no hope. Oh what a miserable soul I was. In fact I could relate with Paul when he said, For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death. (Rom 7:22-24). No one else could better paint the picture of my misery than this.
One day, a young man came into my class to preach. I can't remember all he said but I can't forget this one passage he quoted. Romans 6:14. He said sin shallno longer had dominion over me because I live under the grace of Christ. My eyes popped open. I could literarily feel my prison door flinging open. I felt the chains falling. I knew I was free from my habits. I began the glorious steps from my bondage to dominion.
Soon I discovered the reason why I wallowed so helplessly for so long in the bondage of sin even though I had been a christian. I noticed that in had been confessing my sins, my weaknesses and my failures and my life was heading that way. Look the more you confess your sins, the more sin conscious and vulnerable to sin you'd be. I confessed it to God, myself and some few times, to others. When I confessed to God, I didn't know when exactly he'd forgive me. So I'd feel gloomy for days till my conscience was appeased. When I confessed to myself I was disappointed in myself and could hardly receive forgiveness neither could I forgive myself. Many times when I worship, I soon remember that I was a sinner till the hands I raised in worship fall to my breast in self pity and condemnation. When I confessed to others, I felt cheap, stigmatized and riddicled. So the cycle continued unbroken till I found the truth.
So when I discovered that by living under grace, I am free from the dominion of sin, I began to learn more about this grace of Christ. I found out that what grace gives must be appropriated by faith (Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:8). I discovered that by Grace God has made me the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2Cor 5:21). I discovered that I was created in righteousness and true holiness (Eph 4:24). I discovered that all my sins have been forgiven and that God has no axe to grind with me (Col 2:13). God keeps no grudge. I knew I now have to appropriate this by faith so I began to confess them.
I declared that I am holy and righteous. Something told me about 1John 1:9. "Are you not supposed to confess your sins to be forgiven" the voice asked. But the Holy Spirit gave me an answer. He said, Confess what God says about your sin, that is the true position of your sin. So I researched on what God says about my sins. God says they were put on Jesus (2Cor 5:21; Isaiah 53:6); they were carried away by Jesus (John 1:29); they are forgiven(Col 2:13); they are remembered no more (Heb 10:16-21). So I began confessing the truth about my sins. I confessed my righteousness and holiness. Soon I noticed that it was getting more and more difficult for me to sin.
Even when I actually sinned, I just thank God for He keeps no grudge, for the intercession of Jesus and for the forgiveness that is provided for my sins. I repent by deciding never to do it again then I'd start confessing the truth about my sins again. I'd tell God that sin can't have dominion over me. I'd declare that I receive forgiveness, sanctification and life beyond sin. That way I walked in liberty from sin.
Friends, ...the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. I have been his student for years and I've just shared with you how he has taught me. You can be wholly free from sin too. Why not register in His school. The first course in His teaching is "denying ungodliness". You don't deny ungodliness by personal efforts. Grace already shows us that human efforts amounts to nothing (John 6:63). The only way is to engage the spirit of faith. You start denying ungodliness by your confession. Start declaring today that you're not a sinner. Say I am righteous. It may not feel that way yet but I am holy. I am perfect. I cannot sin. As you go on this way, your confession will soon be your reality.
Please feel free to chat with me for further assistance, questions or counsel. God bless you
Pst Sam Akpologun
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