There is no better expression of There is no better expression of God’s love for mankind than the God’s love for mankind than the finished redemptive work of our finished redemptive work of our Savior Jesus Christ. On the cross of Savior Jesus Christ. On the cross of Jesus, we receive the benefits of Jesus, we receive the benefits of redemption and justification. We redemption and justification. We are no longer condemned. We have are no longer condemned. We have been justified, forgiven and set been justified, forgiven and set free!free!

But in the process of sanctification But in the process of sanctification (i.e., being made holy or sinning less (i.e., being made holy or sinning less and less), how can the cross and less), how can the cross represent for us the victory represent for us the victory personalized? Begin to experience personalized? Begin to experience the power of the cross to change the power of the cross to change you and to live a righteous life by you and to live a righteous life by remembering four truths.remembering four truths.

If I have received the If I have received the righteousness of Jesus Christ righteousness of Jesus Christ and I have the Holy Spirit in and I have the Holy Spirit in

my life, why do I still sin now my life, why do I still sin now that I am a Christian?that I am a Christian?

SALVATIO N

God's Righteousness

Man's SinfulnessREGENERATION

JUS

TIF

ICA

TIO

N

GLORIFICATIONpo

siti

onal

san

ctif

icat

ion

progressive sanctification

death or rapture

Dr. Thomas L. Dr. Thomas L. ConstableConstable

How can I consistently How can I consistently experience in my daily life experience in my daily life

the victory already attained the victory already attained by the power of the Cross?by the power of the Cross?

““Christian living depends on Christian living depends on Christian learning; duty is always Christian learning; duty is always

founded on doctrine. If Satan founded on doctrine. If Satan can keep a Christian ignorant, he can keep a Christian ignorant, he

can keep him impotent.”can keep him impotent.”Warren WiersbeWarren Wiersbe

We wereWe were““dead in sin.”dead in sin.”

Ephesians 2:1-3Ephesians 2:1-3

1.1. We were “dead in sin.” We were “dead in sin.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)(Ephesians 2:1-3)1.1. We were “dead in sin.” We were “dead in sin.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)(Ephesians 2:1-3)

• Paul declares in Ephesians chapter 2 Paul declares in Ephesians chapter 2 that we were dead in our sins. At that we were dead in our sins. At that time, we followed the ways of that time, we followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air and we gratified kingdom of the air and we gratified the cravings of our sinful nature. We the cravings of our sinful nature. We followed our sinful nature’s desires followed our sinful nature’s desires and thoughts.and thoughts.

1.1. We were “dead in sin.” We were “dead in sin.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)(Ephesians 2:1-3)1.1. We were “dead in sin.” We were “dead in sin.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)(Ephesians 2:1-3)

• We couldn’t do otherwise. We were We couldn’t do otherwise. We were under the grip of the cravings of our under the grip of the cravings of our warped nature. We were slaves to warped nature. We were slaves to sin. And because of sin, we were sin. And because of sin, we were dead – spiritually dead!dead – spiritually dead!

1.1. We were “dead in sin.” We were “dead in sin.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)(Ephesians 2:1-3)1.1. We were “dead in sin.” We were “dead in sin.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)(Ephesians 2:1-3)

• We were DeadWe were Dead(spiritual condition)(spiritual condition)

• We were Disobedient We were Disobedient (spiritual compulsion)(spiritual compulsion)

• We were DepravedWe were Depraved(spiritual corruption)(spiritual corruption)

• We were DoomedWe were Doomed(spiritual condemnation)(spiritual condemnation)

1.1. We were “dead in sin.” We were “dead in sin.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)(Ephesians 2:1-3)1.1. We were “dead in sin.” We were “dead in sin.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)(Ephesians 2:1-3)

• Fallen World – Fallen World – FLEE! FLEE! (1 Tim. 6:11)(1 Tim. 6:11)

(atheistic humanism)(atheistic humanism)

• Fallen Angel – Fallen Angel – RESIST! RESIST! (I Peter 5:8)(I Peter 5:8)

(Satan, the accuser & tempter)(Satan, the accuser & tempter)

• Fallen Nature – Fallen Nature – DENY! DENY! (Rom. 6:12-13)(Rom. 6:12-13)

(egocentric self, flesh )(egocentric self, flesh )

We have beenWe have been““crucified with Christ.”crucified with Christ.”Romans 6:6-7; Galatians 2:20Romans 6:6-7; Galatians 2:20

2.2. We have been “crucified with Christ.” We have been “crucified with Christ.” (Romans 6:6-7; Galatians 2:20)(Romans 6:6-7; Galatians 2:20)2.2. We have been “crucified with Christ.” We have been “crucified with Christ.” (Romans 6:6-7; Galatians 2:20)(Romans 6:6-7; Galatians 2:20)

““For we know that our old self was For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body crucified with him so that the body

of sin might be done away with, of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves that we should no longer be slaves to sin— to sin— 77because anyone who has because anyone who has

died has been freed from sin.”died has been freed from sin.”Romans 6:6-7Romans 6:6-7

2.2. We have been “crucified with Christ.” We have been “crucified with Christ.” (Romans 6:6-7; Galatians 2:20)(Romans 6:6-7; Galatians 2:20)2.2. We have been “crucified with Christ.” We have been “crucified with Christ.” (Romans 6:6-7; Galatians 2:20)(Romans 6:6-7; Galatians 2:20)

• Romans 6:6-7 says that our old self, Romans 6:6-7 says that our old self, our sinful nature, was crucified with our sinful nature, was crucified with Christ (identified with Christ) so that Christ (identified with Christ) so that the body of sin might be done away the body of sin might be done away with (rendered powerless and with (rendered powerless and inoperative). We are no longer inoperative). We are no longer slaves to sin because anyone who slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been freed from sin!has died has been freed from sin!

We have becomeWe have become““dead to sin.”dead to sin.”Romans 6:1-5, 8-10Romans 6:1-5, 8-10

3.3. We have become “dead to sin.” We have become “dead to sin.” (Romans 6:1-5, 8-10)(Romans 6:1-5, 8-10)3.3. We have become “dead to sin.” We have become “dead to sin.” (Romans 6:1-5, 8-10)(Romans 6:1-5, 8-10)

• From being “dead in sin” we have From being “dead in sin” we have been “crucified with Christ”. And been “crucified with Christ”. And having died with Christ, we have having died with Christ, we have become “dead to sin.” We no longer become “dead to sin.” We no longer belong to sin. Sin no longer has belong to sin. Sin no longer has authority over us. Sin is no longer authority over us. Sin is no longer our master.our master.

We are nowWe are now““alive with Christ.”alive with Christ.”

Romans 6:11-14; Ephesians 2:4-10Romans 6:11-14; Ephesians 2:4-10

4.4. We are now “alive with Christ.” We are now “alive with Christ.” (Romans 6:11-14; Ephesians 2:4-10)(Romans 6:11-14; Ephesians 2:4-10)4.4. We are now “alive with Christ.” We are now “alive with Christ.” (Romans 6:11-14; Ephesians 2:4-10)(Romans 6:11-14; Ephesians 2:4-10)

• So who is our new master? God is So who is our new master? God is our new master! He made us alive our new master! He made us alive with Christ. If we desire to live a with Christ. If we desire to live a victorious Christian life, we must victorious Christian life, we must allow Jesus Christ who now lives in allow Jesus Christ who now lives in us to take full control of our lives. us to take full control of our lives.

4.4. We are now “alive with Christ.” We are now “alive with Christ.” (Romans 6:11-14; Ephesians 2:4-10)(Romans 6:11-14; Ephesians 2:4-10)4.4. We are now “alive with Christ.” We are now “alive with Christ.” (Romans 6:11-14; Ephesians 2:4-10)(Romans 6:11-14; Ephesians 2:4-10)

• This is what it means to live by faith This is what it means to live by faith in the Son of God. We must offer in the Son of God. We must offer ourselves to God as instruments of ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness.righteousness.