Eternal Approach

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:11)

In previous posts, we have discussed the biblical foundation of our “reckoning”. Some call this the “reckoning of Faith”. Watchman Nee discusses this in greater detail in his book, The Normal Christian Life (which I heartily recommend).

The point today is that “Reckoning” can often be misunderstood. Even by those who have understood God’s truth on these matters.

For example, our victory in Christ is based purely on faith. It is based upon the specific words and phrases of scripture that God has inspired that tell us how we are “crucified with Christ“. (Galatians 2:20 ).

This is a fact. It is an eternal reality when we trust Christ as our Savior.

A New Creature

If you have trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, it is an established fact that you are dead to the Law. And you are dead to sin. DEAD.

Your “death” or “crucifixion” is not a continuing process. In fact, it is not a process at all. It is done. Finished.

And we are told that we are “alive in Christ“. Dead to the Law and dead to sin. So that they will have no more dominion over us.

We are new creatures. New.

When one struggles with sin, especially over long periods of time, it can lead to despair. It can seem like an endless, hopeless struggle. All the methods that Christian books and authors advise do not help.

Because, as the Bible says, the flesh lusts against the Spirit so that you “cannot do the things that you would“.

You may make new resolutions to change; but you can’t.

Well, allow me to give you some hope.

Because, that is no longer who we are. Because we are dead to sin and to the Law.

And what you feel does not change that. Did you get that? Your feelings do not change that fact. Nor do your miserable feelings change Christ’s love for you.

But here is the greatest thing of all.

This is NOT a PROCESS

Reckoning is not a process. It is not something we have to do to achieve a new place of “not sinning”. Reckoning is about believing what God has declared as true. It is about simply believing what He has already accomplished.

Despite all outward appearances.

And this is not some Charismatic thing. It is not about declaring something to be true and then trying to work up enough faith to make it come true. That is like sorcery. Trying to bring something into reality with your mind and by your own will power.

Run from that stuff. Run as fast as you can! Because it cannot truly help you.

But be warned, if you go down that road, you may achieve some victories for a season. But that is a deception. It is not truly based on faith. Nor is it truly a work of the Holy Spirit. That would be a work of our own “dedicated Christian flesh”.

The REST that Remains

Our victory in Christ is about REST. Resting on His Word. That is true faith. Not Resting on our own strength or will power or some other thing.

And there are a million things that Satan will use to draw your confidence away from Christ and on to your self and your own resources.

NO. This is about believing that Christ has accomplished the fact. And RESTING in His finished work. And then walking as a RISEN Christian.

Because that is what you are.

It is when we look at our own abilities to achieve victory that we fail. In fact, all our fleshly works are failures. Whatever they are. If they are produced by our own efforts and are not born out of the Lord having “wrought all our works in us” (Isaiah 26:12, then they are dead works. Even if you are a Christian, they are dead works.

“As Abraham staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.” (Romans 4:19-22)

All of God’s work is done in faith. And that faith must be based firmly upon His Word. Not on our own mental and spiritual gymnastics.