how do we “ stop sinning ?
Excellent question, And I'm am SO GLAD you asked!!
:)
Hebrews 7:19 KJV
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
We take hold of this better hope.
The Law made nothing perfect. What does make perfect? What is our hope? Hope = the expected end of our faith. Our hope is the resurrection, because Jesus said He will raise us from the dead, and we believe Jesus. We trust Him, and He promised resurrection, so we expect to be raised from the dead. But not only that.
1 John 3:1-3 KJV
1) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
When we see Him, we will be transformed to become just like Him.
Philippians 3:21 KJV
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Literally, "the body of our humiliation". Isn't that so true? Jesus is able to subdue literally EVERYTHING, and He is also able to subdue us. To promise us,
1 Corinthians 15:54 KJV
54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
We trust in Jesus, that He will do as He said, and save us in every way shape and form, one could even say He saves us to the uttermost, ever living to make intercession for us, we trust in Him, and the more we trust Him, the more we enter into His life, putting our old life behind. The more we believe that we can do so, the more we put on the new man, finding in our new life the power from His Spirit in living for Him.
Notice also, it doesn't say, everyone who has this hope
should purify himself, something like that, no. It says if we have that hope, we just do. Axiomatic. If one, then the other.
every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure
Romans 5:1-2 KJV
1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2) By whom also
we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
We stand in His grace, His favor towards us in the forgiveness of our sins.
We know we are forgiven. We know we will be transformed fully to be as Jesus. I know the sin I may commit, the sin I maybe being tempted to commit right now, this sin, if committed - this work of the flesh - it will not rob me from God. Sin has been settled and I am free.
Romans 7 something, the motions of sin in my members, when are by the Law . . .
Law incites sin. As I'm tempted to sin, I reflect on the fact that I'm received and accepted by God regardless, because my reconciliation is in Jesus Christ, not myself. I reflect on the fact that God loves me with or without that sin, because that sin is in my flesh, and my flesh is condemned already, and I am the spirit child of God, there IS NO condemnation for me.
And as I reflect on these things, the deceptive power of that temptation ceases. I see it for what it is. The motions of sin in my members. The "you must/you mustn't" merely inflame the flesh, as it remains hostile to God, and Law increases sin.
But I am not hostile to God, and He is not hostile to me, and remembering these things, that I am in love, forgiven, free, opens my heart wide in faith to God, trusting in the efficacy of Jesus' offering upon the cross, and I stand in that grace overcoming, a clean conscience.
Much love!