It is the work of the Holy Spirit to rid us of sin, remind us of God’s Word, and guide us in His ways. The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to resist temptation and overcome sin. He replaces our sinful nature with the nature of Christ.
If our relationship with Christ rests on whether we choose to sin or not, then we are relying upon OUR WORKS and not the work of Christ at the cross. Our job is to surrender, to commit God’s Word to our hearts, and to pray continuously. Only then may we find strength to resist temptation. The Christian walk, the walk of Christian holiness, is a mystery. It is surrender and discipline. It is study and prayer. It is not a list of rules and laws and works, rather it is submission to the Creator in love.
Christian holiness may best be described by John who calls it “perfect love.” When we grow to know God so well that we love Him more than we love ourselves, then we are guided by His love. He keeps us from sin. We need no longer to fear sin or Satan, because God leads us in paths of righteousness. We need no longer to fear God’s retribution because we are forgiven; we live within the Light of His holiness.
C. S. Lewis in “The World’s Last Night” points out that there are other things besides God’s perfect love that rids us of fear. “Perfect love, we know, casteth out fear,” he writes. “But so do several other things – ignorance, alcohol, passion, presumption, and stupidity.”
His point is that perfect love rids you of fear. Sin numbs you and desensitizes you. It’s your choice.
Have no fear; rely on God’s perfect love.
