Greg (11 May 2012)
"TO GINO: "GREAT EXPECTATIONS""

 
http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/may2012/gino510-1.htm
 
Hello Gino,
 
Awesome.  To God be the glory! 
 
Just know this:  To die to the sin nature doesn't mean the sin nature is annihilated, like it doesn't exist anymore, but rather, we take control over it, having been empowered by the Holy Spirit through His cross, so that the sin nature no longer controls us, but we control it, that is, if you have confessed your sins and have invited Jesus into your heart to be Lord and Saviour, then you have been given His Holy Spirit to exercise self-control over your flesh. 
 
As we exercise this control, we are building (strengthening) our inner man, going from faith to faith, and strength to strength. 
 
We strengthen our physical bodies through weight resistance training, likewise, we strengthen our inner man by resisting temptations.
 
The scripure tells us what we need to do if in heaviness through manifold temptations (1 Pet. 1:6-8)......start praising Him and speak the word, confirming who you are in Christ, i.e., "I'm strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Eph. 6: 10) or "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" (Phil. 4: 13) or "There is no temptation that is taken me...." (1 Cor. 10: 13), etc. As you do these things, along with the knowledge of having His expectation, will be made holy, but only if you are a DOER. 
 
The problem doctrinally today is that the doctrines of men have confused "sins of the flesh" with "sinless perfection."  These two things are different.  By making all sins equal puts heavy burdens upon us, which no one is able to bear. And because of this heavy burden, most come to the conclusion that it's not possible to cease from sin, therefore they don't try, which keeps them away from giving heed to His expectation of us to be holy. For instance, claiming that murder and having a lack of faith both deserve death is incorrect.  Murder is of the sins of the flesh, and they that murder (and hate) will not inherit the kingdom of God, therefore those that do this deserve eternal death, which is the Lake of Fire, because death and hell will be thrown into the Lake of Fire, which is the second death. Having a lack of faith is sin, and is unrighteousness, but having a lack of faith is having some faith, and Jesus says, "if you have faith as the grain of a mustard seed...."  Therefore, having a lack of faith is not worthy of death, but having NO faith, it impossible to please Him.  So likewise with all the other sins.  The sins given in 1 Cor. 6: 9-10, Gal. 5: 19-21, catches most of the sins of the flesh, but also in Eph. 4:17- 5:7, Col. 3: 5-11; 1 Thess. 4: 3, Rev. 21: 8, etc.).
 
Just remember, there is a training we do.  If we are willing and obedient we will eat the good of the land.  Just know there's going to be a tremendous fight between the flesh and the spirit.  But with God (you and Him together) all things are possible, for "if you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes" (Mk. 9: 23).
 
Slay the giant of the sin nature with the Holy Spirit given you in Jesus' name!!!!
 
In Christ,
Greg