True Salvation: The life and Spirit of God in our Souls

Sin is a hot issue for Christians, what is sin? Or to some, more importantly what isn't sin? It seems that as Christians, many people are simply trying to see what they can get away with without putting the label "sin" on it.

Many teachers and pastors give us lessons in avoiding sin, or try to convict us not to sin. We are constantly told to try hard not to sin. But the bible gives us a different insight into sin and salvation, and what it really is and is not.

Your conviction need not be to not sin, because sin is not something that you can control (I know that's not what most people will tell you, but read on). Your conviction should be to turn to God, who alone can keep you from sin, and will keep you from sin as you walk with Him.

What is sin but the operation of self? What is righteousness but the death of self and life of God within? Our salvation is the death of ourselves and the life of God within us. We cannot claim to be saved and not have the life of God within.

1 John 1:6 (New American Standard Bible)
"If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;"

1 John 2:3-5 (New American Standard Bible)
"By this we know that we have come to (B)know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:"

How do we know that we are in Him? That we keep his commandments. But doesn't that mean that we should be convicted not to sin? No! How do we keep His commandments then? Only b ythe life and light of God brought to a new birth within our souls! We cannot do it on our own, it must be Christ in us, which is our only hope of glory!

Philippians 2:13 (New American Standard Bible)
"for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

So what can possibly be our salvation but the life of God brought forth in our souls?