by Robert J. Kurz, M.A. Counseling

This is part 5 in the series on the immutable Word of God. Allow me to recap the first 4 laws we have covered. The first law states that God will never stop loving us, even when we sin against Him. His love is not determined by our behavior, but rather by His eternal choice to love us. The second law says that God will give perfect peace to all who trust Him. He promises a peace that goes beyond our understanding. Law number 3 shows us how God constantly guides us throughout the course of our lives. As stated last month, the 4th law declares that God will take care of us. He is willing and able to provide every need that we have.

Law number 5 is an exciting, immutable promise found recorded in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans. It is an eternal promise to all of God’s children. The law boldly states that we can live a life free from sin! We read in Romans 6:14, “Sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” I meet so many believers who struggle needlessly with on-going sin in their lives. It is not God’s will for us to be in constant bondage to our carnal weaknesses. He has conquered both sin and death on our behalf, and desires for us to walk in victory. While we will all, occasionally, commit sins, we are not destined to be dominated by a lifestyle of sinful habits. The Word of God clearly states that, “Sin shall not have dominion” in our lives.

We all face many temptations. In fact, there are more temptations in our culture today than there have ever been. But God has promised a way for believers to overcome every one of them. We are reminded in I Cor.10:13 that, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape...” There are no valid excuses for giving into the sinful temptations that we face. If we walk in the Spirit, and look for the escape that God has provided, we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. Everyone I meet, who has been overcome by sin, has refused to take the way of escape that God has shown them. They often see themselves as weak, and incapable of overcoming temptations. God sees us, not as weak and defeated, but, rather, victorious through Him. In Romans 8 we read that we are “More than conquerors through Christ who loved us.” That is our true position in Christ, based on the immutable promise that says sin will not have dominion over us. Let’s begin to accept and apply this wonderful promise in our lives today!