“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:25).

What did Jesus mean when he said our verse of the day?

It is true that in the middle east the entry way into holy sites have a “door” where it is impossible for grown adults to enter without stooping down. Stooping down to enter is a symbolic representation of our humility that is required to enter that space.

This is true but it still misses the point.

The point is that whether its an entry way into holy sites or whether Jesus was referring to an actual eye of a needle, it’s impossible for a camel to fit there.

The main point is the impossibility of such an occurrence.

Salvation is an impossibility.

Salvation is an impossibility because there is no way sinners like you and me can ever stop sinning. We might have fantastic intentions, but being sinless and a perfect keeper of God’s commands for the rest of our lives is an impossibility.

Salvation is an impossibility because there is no amount of good that we could ever do to change the reality that we are sinners.

Salvation, for sinners, is an impossibility.

Well that’s a bummer. What are we supposed to do now?

Great question!

Look at what Jesus says right after our verse: “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).

Salvation, for sinners, is an impossibility. But salvation, which is impossible for human beings, is absolutely possible with God.

This doesn’t mean salvation was easy. Salvation cost Jesus everything! But because of the cost paid by Jesus, salvation is available to all who confess their sins and believe Jesus is Lord.

Salvation is made possible in and through Jesus Christ.

Believe the good news. Believe in Jesus.

That which is impossible has been made possible by God himself.

“The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me” (2 Samuel 22:21).

Imagine Jesus praying the following:

The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.
For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I am not guilty of turning from my God.
All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees.
I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin.
The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.

Now, look at the prayer again and imagine an adulterer, a sexual predator, a liar, a murderer praying these words.

These words are recorded as David’s song of praise at the end of his life. As David reflects on his life he sings these words as a praise to God.

How could David claim the following?

• Deal with me according to my righteousness?
• I have been rewarded according the the cleanness of my hands?
• I have kept the ways of the LORD?
• I am not guilty of turning from my God?
• I have not turned away from God’s decrees?
• I have been blameless?
• I have kept myself from sin?

Seriously?!?! You’ve got some gumption, David!!! How could any human being ever claim these words? They would have to be completely delusional. There is not one human being who could ever claim these words.

Except one. Jesus.

This is why sound theology is so important. This is called substitutionary atonement. Jesus took our place and paid the penalty for sin. Therefore, when God sees us, he cannot see us apart from seeing his Son who lives in us. When we ask for forgiveness and repent, Christ’s righteousness covers us and our sins are no longer visible.

This is what it means that Christ lives in me.

How could David say/sing such words? Because of Jesus. Because he is our Shepherd, our Lord, our Savior.

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:10).

It is true that my old self has been crucified with Christ and that it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

Theologically, this is an absolutely true statement. That is what happens when we repent and believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

If this is true, then how come I still struggle with sin every single day? If this is true, if someone were to observe my life, see my thoughts, see my desires would they be able to see that Christ is the one living in me?

What are we supposed to do with this sin that we struggle with? Am I doing something wrong? Did I miss something? Why do I struggle with sin if Jesus is the one living in me?

That’s a great question.

Here’s the thing. While it is true that Christ lives in me, my old nature and flesh hasn’t gone away. In fact, the new nature, the new creation still lives in the old nature and flesh. And every day, every moment there is a war between the old and the new nature.

So, if you are struggling and battling with sin, that’s great! Keep at it. Don’t quit. Don’t give into sin. Keep fighting sin.

When Christ returns and when we are reunited with Christ, this flesh and this body will be destroyed. We will be given new bodies: bodies that no longer wage war with the new nature and new creation.

But as long as we live in this body we will wrestle with sin.

That we are wrestling is a sign that the Spirit and Christ is alive and well within us.

Keep battling. Keep going. Don’t ever give into sin.