subject: If Christ Paid It All, Why Do I Still Struggle With Sin? [print this page] I received a great question the other day which I know many Christians struggle with. So, I thought Id address the question publicly through this article in addition the private response I sent. The question was, Why doesn't the new birth absolve generational sins and curses in a person's life when they come to Jesus? In other words, if we are cleansed of all our sins by the work of Christ on the cross when we believe in Him, why do some continue to struggle with generational sins? Shouldnt we be freed of all sin?
What is a Generational Sin?
First, I should explain what a generational sin is. Parents pass on everything to their children, good and bad. Some is passed on through genetics and some through learned behavior. This includes physical traits, personality traits, habits, etc. Some of this may be good, like inheriting a strong work ethic or a desire to stay in good physical condition. On the other hand, because of this, some people may struggle with being honest, others with addiction to one thing or another, and so on. When we inherit sinful traits, these are generational sins.
The Progressive Application of Gods Grace:
When Gods grace is applied to our individual lives it does not usually drive out all of our enemies instantly, but we experience a progressive application of Gods grace. That is why we are told to work out our souls salvation (Phil. 2:12). This involves a process. If it were all instantaneous, there would be no working out.
And we all know sincere water-baptized, Spirit-filled Christians who still struggle with addictive bondages, whether it's smoking, alcohol or pornography. And for them, it is a progressive working out of their salvation into area after area of their lives through the power of the Holy Spirit and perhaps through the help of Christian counseling. We rejoice in this ongoing sanctification as well, knowing that He Who began a good work in them will be faithful to complete it!
God does not do magic.
God works with individuals and in individuals and it is always a process. It is always collaboration. Peter chose to step out on the water, and God chose to provide supernatural grace to hold him up. This is the way divine power is released in our lives. God invites us to take a step forward, we take that step, and God meets us supernaturally enhancing the step with divine grace being released out through our lives.
Its like I tell my students at the online Bible college, do not expect magic. Do not expect everything to always be dealt with instantaneously. It often isn't. There will be a continuous appropriation of divine grace, a walking out of divine provision, an application of divine power, step by step as you work out your souls salvation.
