Catholics and others holiness religions see little to no value in the death of Christ. Many believe that the crucifixon of Christ happened to inspire them to be better Christians. They do not believe that Jesus really did atone for the sins of the whole world, 1 John 2:2.
Catholics believe that Jesus died on the cross so that the Holy Spirit would become available to them and through the indwelling Spirit they would be able to become like Christ. The whole of Catholicism is to become like Christ. Doesn't seem to be working very well. I think that the more you try to become like Christ the more you will sin. See Romans 7:7-12. This is the problem. The law does not conquer sin, it causes sin.
The atonement of Christ frees us from the law. If Jesus atoned for the sins of the world, then I don't need to worry about it, nor do I need to try to overcome it. Jesus overcame it for me. This means that I can rest in what he has accomplished for me, Hebrews 4:10.
The Christian is called to live his life before God as a sinner, a saved sinner. This is why Paul wrote, "For the good that I would do, I don't do it, instead I do the evil" Romans 7:19. Paul struggled with sin just like we do. He even refered to himself as..."The Chief of Sinners" 1 Timothy 1:15. Was Paul really the chief of sinners? No, but he just wanted us to know that he was indwelt with sin, Romans 7:17.
The problem is within. The help is without. trying to overcome your sin problem through the works of the law will result in more sin. Ask any Catholic. Remember all of those fallen TV Pentecostal preachers? None of them had or believed the Gospel. They were all trying to overcome their sin problems by the works of the law, which is really the works of the flesh.
Here is the answer to the sin problem, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh" Romans 8:3. If sin has been abolished or condemned, why should we be concerned about it? God is not concerned about it. As far as God is concerned sin, death and the devil have been destroyed, Colossians 2:15. We who believe are now perfect and complete "In Christ" Colossians 2:10.
Instead of trying to be like Christ, which is impossible. Try working on being "In Christ". To be in Christ means that you are trusting in his righteousness and in his atonement for your sins. To be "In Christ" means that you have renounced your righteousness and your religion, which is worthless and you are totally and completely trusting in Christ alone for your salvation.
Catholics believe that Jesus died on the cross so that the Holy Spirit would become available to them and through the indwelling Spirit they would be able to become like Christ. The whole of Catholicism is to become like Christ. Doesn't seem to be working very well. I think that the more you try to become like Christ the more you will sin. See Romans 7:7-12. This is the problem. The law does not conquer sin, it causes sin.
The atonement of Christ frees us from the law. If Jesus atoned for the sins of the world, then I don't need to worry about it, nor do I need to try to overcome it. Jesus overcame it for me. This means that I can rest in what he has accomplished for me, Hebrews 4:10.
The Christian is called to live his life before God as a sinner, a saved sinner. This is why Paul wrote, "For the good that I would do, I don't do it, instead I do the evil" Romans 7:19. Paul struggled with sin just like we do. He even refered to himself as..."The Chief of Sinners" 1 Timothy 1:15. Was Paul really the chief of sinners? No, but he just wanted us to know that he was indwelt with sin, Romans 7:17.
The problem is within. The help is without. trying to overcome your sin problem through the works of the law will result in more sin. Ask any Catholic. Remember all of those fallen TV Pentecostal preachers? None of them had or believed the Gospel. They were all trying to overcome their sin problems by the works of the law, which is really the works of the flesh.
Here is the answer to the sin problem, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh" Romans 8:3. If sin has been abolished or condemned, why should we be concerned about it? God is not concerned about it. As far as God is concerned sin, death and the devil have been destroyed, Colossians 2:15. We who believe are now perfect and complete "In Christ" Colossians 2:10.
Instead of trying to be like Christ, which is impossible. Try working on being "In Christ". To be in Christ means that you are trusting in his righteousness and in his atonement for your sins. To be "In Christ" means that you have renounced your righteousness and your religion, which is worthless and you are totally and completely trusting in Christ alone for your salvation.
