It is utterly futile to attempt to overcome the sin nature on our own. It is impossible for natural man to do what Jesus did. When people claim they overcame their shortcomings they give themselves the glory. Without realizing it, they are still walking in the pride of life and they are not giving God the glory. The simple truth is that our victory is in Christ Jesus, period! As it written, “We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Romans 8:37, KJV). This leads us to a question: if Jesus overcame the world for us, why would we still be struggling? Perhaps it is a matter of perspective, which is part of repentance. It goes to changing the way we think, and actually believing what the Word of God says.
Our crucifixion with Christ cannot be over emphasized, because this where sin is abolished in our lives. Secondly, it is vital for moving into our new position found in Him, as it puts an end to our past. As we identify with Jesus Christ, we are baptized into His death (see Romans 6:3). This next couple of verses are important to grasp: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin” (Romans 6:6-7, KJV). Perhaps a personal experience may help shed some light. There was a time as a believer that I was struggling to overcome my own personal shortcomings. My past was still haunting me as I was having difficulty believing that I was no longer the same person I use to be. Then, the Lord spoke to my heart, “You are no longer that guy.” In a vision, I saw whom I once was as someone completely separated from who I am in the present. I understood that I since I am no longer that guy, I was free from sin, which meant I was free to become who God called me to be.
Paul said in 1Corinthians 15:31, “I die daily.” This means that each day we must make a decision to remain in Christ Jesus. Each day we present ourselves as living sacrifices and follow Him. At this juncture, remember Philippians 3:13-14: Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
