“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.

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it” (Revelation 1:3).

If you love God you love God’s word.

How can you know who God is? The only way to know God is through God’s word.

That’s the reason why God’s word always trumps all other authorities when it comes to what is true, right, and good. No other source can usurp the place of God’s word in our lives. God’s word is the standard by which all other truths are measured.

But, here’s the problem. In today’s world, there are way too many people who call themselves followers of Jesus who place themselves as a higher authority than God’s word. We mean well, but when it comes down to it, when God’s word contradicts what we believe, what we think, or how we feel, we allow our personal beliefs, thoughts, and feelings to usurp the truth of God’s word.

Let me show you. If you’ve ever said:

• “I know what the Bible says, but I think…”
• “I know what the Bible says, but I feel…”
• “I know what God said about sin, but it feels so good, so right…”

If you’ve ever said or thought any of those things, you have made yourself a higher authority than God’s word.

Listen, this isn’t just James’ thoughts. If these were my thoughts then you can ignore them and there is no consequence. However, if these are God’s words, if what you are reading is consistent with what is revealed in God’s word, then there are eternal consequences to rejecting these words.

The Bible isn’t supposed to be just read. The Bible is to be obeyed.

It’s not just knowing about God’s word. It’s allowing God’s word to transform our life and thinking.

The Bible is God’s word. “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it.”