Articles
Why Christians Should be Self-Controlled
Why should Christians have to be self-controlled if Jesus’ sacrifice eternally saves us under God’s grace? Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus is the founder of our faith because He shed His divine blood on the cross to redeem mankind from their sin. He is then the perfecter of our faith because He was the only man who knew no sin and His example is the one Christians are to exemplify (2 Cor. 5:20 - 6:21).
When we as Christians accept Christ as our Lord and Savior by getting baptized, we are supposed to put to death our previous sinful ways. The apostle Paul teaches in Romans 6:1-4, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” As Christians allow Christ’s example and teachings to become their new identity, their faith will encourage them to produce God-glorifying works.
` James 2:17-18 reads, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.“ Our God-glorifying deeds can and will never save us, but they are still important because we are directly commanded to do them in the New Testament (1 Tim. 6:17-19, Eph. 2:10,etc.). They also are a testament of our faith to God. “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:26). When our faith dies, does this mean we are going to hell? Over time, a dead faith can lead to sin, and if sin goes unrepented then God may not take us with Him. Revelation 3:1-3 says, “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.”
No matter what, let us all strive to be confident in the Lord’s mercy, trusting in His love, and self-controlled in our obedience. 1 Peter 4:7-11 reminds us, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace…in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
