Beyond remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus to set his followers free from sin and give them eternal life, we also must have taken part in his death, burial and resurrection to a new life in Him. This is what we should be most grateful for, not just yearly but daily: being a new creation in Christ, with old things having passed away and all things having become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Romans 6:4-11
4 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. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
One
must seek God personally about masturbation. The following thoughts
about masturbation are shared from the perspective of an unmarried man.
One thing is sure: it
can't be something that
controls a person in any manner. An addiction to masturbation
exposes it as an idol in a person's life. It has a place
in the person's heart that should only belong to God. In some
circumstances, masturbation can exist as a 'savior' in a person's
circumstances. The person's attachment to masturbation is as such certainly sinful.
Remember also that self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:23), and that the Bible speaks a great deal about putting to death the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24, Colossians 3:5, Romans 13:14).While I do not regard the act of masturbation as a "work of the flesh" to be added to the list in Galatians 5:19-21, God has made me understand that being in bondage to this behavior, being addicted to it and dependent on it for something that it provides, contradicts walking in the freedom that is in Christ.
Also, considering
that most people cannot conceive masturbation without the stimulation
of sexual imagery, it follows that those who sin in their
thoughts through what they are watching or imagining while they
masturbate cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Such must draw near to God
and cleanse their hands and purify their hearts (James 4:8). Even if
they do not have what could be called an addiction, such would still be under the power of sin (John 8:34) working through the law of sin and death (Romans 7:23 vs Romans 8:2) rather than under the power of God.
Romans 8:5-6 5 Those
who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh
desires; but those who live according to the Spirit have their
minds set on what the Spirit desires.
6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Being under God's care and guidance, there is no need for an unmarried person to be
driven by fear and engaging in sexual activity with anyone for the sake of proving sexual compatibility or assuring oneself of one's sexual performance. These are worldly concerns,
not the concerns of a child of God with a renewed mind (Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:16b; Colossians 3:1-2). And of course, taking pleasure in unrighteousness through any form of sexual immorality is not a fruit of the Spirit but a work of the flesh that disqualifies a person from inheriting the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-23). And those sins begin in the heart (Mark 7:21-23). The
discipline of keeping one's flesh in subjection cannot be ignored by any
follower of Jesus who is a new creation who has been fully empowered
through Him who strengthens him/her to do just that. It’s actually a
life and death matter to not heed the instructions from the Bible to crucify the flesh.
Romans 12:1-2 1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your
reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is
the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.
If one desires the greatest intimacy with God, and a secure walk on the difficult way to eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14, Luke 13:23-24, 1 Peter 4:18), that person must heed the instructions of the Bible and pay attention to walk according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit
and not be controlled by any cravings of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). May all this be
understood before positions are taken for everybody on whether the act of masturbation
itself is a sin or not.
Romans 14:23b ... Anything that is not done in faith is sin.
For instance, God's grace allows to: -resist the urge to release
sexual tension through masturbation (and pray as needed for God to
allow a strong sexual desire to naturally subside, even quickly) -regard sexual deprivation as
a non-issue, especially as an unmarried person, until the time appointed by
God for lawful sexual union with one's spouse if one has been called to marriage -say 'No' to sin, sexual or otherwise -turn down enticements to lust after random people's bodies and entertain sinful sexual fantasies in one's mind -consecrate one's mind and body to one's future spouse in honor of God's promise of such spouse (e.g 1 Corinthians 7:4 observed by faith).
Titus 2:11-14 11
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, 12
instructing us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly desires, and to
live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; 13 looking for
the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and
Savior, Jesus Christ; 14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem
us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own
possession, zealous for good works.
Lastly, those who regard masturbation as a solution and turn to it in a less than ideal
situation, either as a single or a married person (e.g. prolonged
singleness, physical separation from a spouse, illness of a spouse, etc.), may they be willing to submit to God, depend on Him and hope in his lovingkindness (Psalms 147:11, 145:19, Psalm 27:13-14) rather
than to take matters into their own hands and not fully involve Him in
every detail of their lives.
James 5:13a Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
John 11:40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see God's glory?"
Hebrews 11:6 Now
without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who comes to
God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him. Matthew 7:7-11 7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and
it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who
seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is
there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then,
being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more
will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask
Him!
Be in prayer about any situation you want to change.
Philippians 4:6-7 6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 16
Rejoice always. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks,
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Large Catechism1 Part Second: Of the Creed. Article III. 54] We further believe that in this Christian Church we have forgiveness of sin, which is wrought through the holy Sacraments and Absolution, moreover, through all manner of consolatory promises of the entire Gospel. Therefore, whatever is to be preached concerning the Sacraments belongs here, and, in short, the whole Gospel and all the offices of Christianity, which also must be preached and taught without ceasing. For although the grace of God is secured through Christ, and sanctification is wrought by the Holy Ghost through the Word of God in the unity of the Christian Church, yet on account of our flesh which we bear about with us we are never without sin. 55] Everything, therefore, in the Christian Church is ordered to the end that we shall daily obtain there nothing but the forgiveness of sin through the Word and signs, to comfort and encourage our consciences as long as we live here. Thus, although we have sins, the [grace of the] Holy Ghost does not allow them to injure us, because we are in the Christian Church, where there is nothing but [continuous, uninterrupted] forgiveness of sin, both in that God forgives us, and in that we forgive, bear with, and help each other. 56] But outside of this Christian Church, where the Gospel is not, there is no forgiveness, as also there can be no holiness [sanctification]. Therefore all who seek and wish to merit holiness [sanctification], not through the Gospel and forgiveness of sin, but by their works, have expelled and severed themselves [from this Church]. The Scriptures: Romans 6:4-7 4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection; 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. Why not preach the cross that brings that death to sin and freedom from sin indeed? That's the basis for walking with God as a new creation, in holiness and righteousness all our days (Luke 1:75; Ephesians 4:20-24), not build upon a foundation of bondage to sin still. John 8:34-36 34 Jesus answered them, "Truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 A slave does not live in the house forever. A son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 1 John 3:6-9 6 Whoever remains in him does not sin. Whoever sins hasn't seen him, neither knows him. 7 Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever is born of God does not commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. The Gospel that Jesus has delivered to the world to be preached to all brings about the destruction of the "works of the devil" (1 John 3:8) in the life of the believer/disciple of Jesus. It open eyes, brings from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God (Acts 26:18; 2 Timothy 2:26). That's the foundation that is established through repentance and faith in Jesus (Acts 20:20-21). A path of righteousness is established on the basis of a departure from unrighteousness in answering the call to repentance, and the continuity of obeying Jesus faithfully (that is faith), empowered by God's grace. Luke 6:46 Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? Romans 6:8-16 8 But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him; 9 knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no more has dominion over him. 10 For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 Neither present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace. 15 What then? Should we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Absolutely not. 16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, whether of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? Titus 2:11-14 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, 12instructing us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; 13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ; 14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works. It's not just about trusting in what Jesus has done. He has spoken and his words that lead to eternal life show a way (the only way to the Father) to follow and that affirms what the Bible presents as freedom from sin (John 8:36, Romans 6:18) and a "way of righteousness" that one follows as a righteous person, no longer a sinner/wicked person still (2 Peter 2:21). For it's not a sinner still that is found on the other side of repentance and conversion (Acts 3:19; Luke 18:13-14). And confession of sins to God with a contrite heart must be accompanied with forsaking of sin (Proverbs 28:13), or there is no true contrition of "godly sorrow" (2 Corinthians 7:10) that brings about reconciliation to God for sinners who are considered his enemies before they are reconciled to Him (Romans 5:6-11). One is not reconciled to remain an enemy. --- Large Catechism Part Fifth: Of the Sacrament of the Altar. 53] Now, this is to be the first point, especially for those who are cold and indifferent, that they may reflect upon and rouse themselves. For this is certainly true, as I have found in my own experience, and as every one will find in his own case, that if a person thus withdraw from this Sacrament, he will daily become more and more callous and cold, and will at last disregard it altogether. 54] To avoid this, we must, indeed, examine heart and conscience, and act like a person who desires to be right with God. Now, the more this is done, the more will the heart be warmed and enkindled, that it may not become entirely cold. 55] But if you say: How if I feel that I am not prepared? Answer: That is also my scruple, especially from the old way under the Pope, in which a person tortured himself to be so perfectly pure that God could not find the least blemish in us. On this account we became so timid that every one was instantly thrown into consternation and said to himself: Alas! you are unworthy! 56] For then nature and reason begin to reckon our unworthiness in comparison with the great and precious good; and then it appears like a dark lantern in contrast with the bright sun, or as filth in comparison with precious stones. Because nature and reason see this, they refuse to approach and tarry until they are prepared, so long that one week trails another, and one half year the other. 57] But if you are to regard how good and pure you are, and labor to have no compunctions, you must never approach. The Scriptures: Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. These reasonings above are rooted in human wisdom, trusting in one's own understanding (or that of other men) like Proverbs 3:5 tells us not to do, and in pride certainly, having been taught wrong the way to approach God. Remember, the message given is "repent or perish" (Luke 13:1-5). The Ninevites got it. When we depart from that message and offer other ways to be made right with God, pride certainly has room to creep in, rather than the fear of God bearing upon people's consciences. God resists the proud but He gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5) who come to Him in full surrender of their lives to Him (Mark 8:34-35) — the way He has commanded. This is what is required in answering that call to repentance and approaching God in humility (dust and ashes) for forgiveness on the account of Jesus' shed blood and the beginning of a relationship: Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. There is no "absolution" from God (and not through the works of a priest as under the Mosaic Law) without that.
James 1:21-22
21 Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness [that's repentance], receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word [that's faith], and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.
James 4:7-10 7 Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you. Job 28:28 He said to mankind, "The fear of the LORD--that is wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding." Jesus unequivocally taught that the people of Nineveh could teach this generation about repentance: Matthew 12:41 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. (Jonah 3:10 When God saw their actions--they turned from their evil way of living!--God relented concerning the judgment he had threatened them with and he did not destroy them.) So, next to what is done by Jesus and that we can trust in is what we are called to do: the deeds of our faith, not the works of the Mosaic Law. This is mentioned to dispel the myth that all works mentioned in the Bible are the same or that we won't be judged each one of us according to our deeds/works (John 5:29; Romans 2:6; Revelation 22:11-12). In repentance, there are works consistent with repentance that are expected (Matthew 3:8; Acts 26:20; what Zacchaeus did as was applicable to his own circumstances - Luke 19:8; what the former practitioners of magic did - Acts 19:19; what the prodigal son did after coming to his senses - Luke 15:17-20). Jesus' words saying "Come to me" and "learn from me" (cf. Matthew 11:28-30) cannot have a substitute in what a sacrament is made my man to stand for.
If you are a sinner, the Good News is for you! Jesus spoke this word: Luke 5:31-32 31 Jesus answered them, "Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Repentance and faith in Jesus is the path for sinners to become righteous: Acts 20:20-21 [you know] 20 how I did not hold back from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. That's about all God has to say to sinners: Repent or else be ready to be punished in the final judgement. And that's the Good News for those who "hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6) and desire with all their heart to live for God and be through with sin. If you have responded to God's call by the Gospel to sinners, you have been forgiven your past sins and have been made righteous. You have been reconciled to God, from being previously his enemy as a sinner. You are no longer a sinner. Some synonymous for "sinner" in the Bible are "wicked", "rebellious", "unrighteous", "disobedient", "worker of
iniquity/lawlessness", "evil doer", "transgressor." Are you still that? That's not what God calls his servants, his children, his people. 1 Peter 2:9-10 9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His
own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called
you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a
people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now
have obtained mercy. Romans 5:6-11 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly [sinners]. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now beenjustified* by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Galatians 2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified* by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? God forbid! *justified: made right with God / declared "righteous" by God The thief on the cross became
an ex-thief before Jesus could promise him a place with Him in
paradise! His heart was changed and Jesus saw that. See The Salvation of the Thief Who Was on the Cross. He came to hate his life as a sinner up to that point, so he was ready to receive the new life in Christ (Romans 6:4; John 12:25) if he had remained alive. He had lost all pleasure in robbing people right there on the cross as he came to fear God and repented. If he did not rob for the pleasure of hurting people, then he certainly came to be in agreement with God that stealing is wrong and deserving of punishment by his divine hand. Such change happened. Every sinner who comes to God becomes an ex-(some wicked
thing). The people of God are not sinners, but anyone coming to God in the
first place cannot say, "I have no sin/not sinned," as then they
would be liars deceiving themselves (1 John 1:8). [See this post about the popular incorrect application of 1 John 1:8: Problem in the Church: 1 John 1:8.] The people of God are ex-sinners — He calls them his saints, or holy ones: 2 Thessalonians 10-10 9 These [the wicked] shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Matthew 13:40-43 40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! It's the righteous whose prayers God hears: John 9:31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshipper of God, and does his will, He listens to him. 1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of theLord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of theLord is against those who do evil. Sin is what sinners are saved from! [video] Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be
converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of
refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord Sinners who repent and are converted are put on a path of righteousness; they have turned away from the path of unrighteousness/sin. Jesus has set them free from that path of sin (John 8:34-36, Romans 6:16-18)! The grace of God teaches them to say 'No' to unrighteousness/sin (Romans 6:1-2, 12-19; Titus 2:11-14). Sin is not the way forward for them. Sin is not the center of their world. Jesus, the King of righteousness, is! 2 Timothy 2:19 However God's firm foundation stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness." Righteousness and holiness is the path of the righteous or saint: Revelation 22:11-12 11 The one being unrighteous, let him be unrighteous still; and he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he who is righteous, let him do righteousness still; and he who is holy, let him be holy still.” 12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with me, to give to each one according to his work. Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord Sinners have no connection with holiness whatsoever, because faith which implies obedience to God is the path that leads to righteousness, the practice of which leads to holiness (John 3:36; Romans 6:16-19). See Faith Implies Obedience. Salvation belongs to the righteous: Psalm 118:14-15, 19-20 14 The LORD is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. 15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous. "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter into them and praise the LORD. 20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous will enter into it. The righteous are called to remain faithful to the end: Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives even unto death. Revelation 14:12 Here is the endurance of the saints, those keeping the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. May Jesus bless you!
