Making a Holy Substitution

Introduction:

Last week we were warned about the depravity & darkness of a sin-sick life in v.17-19. We recognized the truth & benefits of having learned of Jesus through His Spirit & His word in v.20-21. And in v.22-24 we received a very definite call to act. Although definite, this call to act is general.

Now as we approach v.25-32 we’re given specific & instructional commands that we may “walk worthy” of our calling as ‘born-again’ Christians.

We could go thru & define each of these terms but it’s obvious that all these things refer to identifying & ceasing what is wrong & implementing what is right. the driving theme of the passage is “Making a holy substitution” & the reasons for doing so.

in this portion of Scripture there is no need to wonder a/b application: these are direct commands from God to us!

Definition of “Holy Substitution”

What is a holy substitution?

Substitution carries the idea of replacing one thing with another, making a total replacement.

Holy modifies the kind of replacement that Paul commands. This is not just some random replacement, but it is specific, righteous, godly, & unlike any other worldly replacement.

A Holy Substitution is replacing the old sinful habits & lifestyle with the new righteous & holy acts of the new creature in Christ.

this is entirely different than simply “covering up” our sinful habits. Covering up doesn’t change the problem; the sure way to conquer sin is to replace it w/ obedience to God’s word.

Sin will keep you from this Book, or this Book will keep you from sin.

While here on earth, reading & obeying the Bible won’t make you sinless, but it will make you sin LESS.

v.22-24 Paul spoke of “putting off the…old man” and “putting on the new man”

Was it not a holy substitution when Christ took our sin & we received His righteousness?

,

Based upon our new life in Christ & knowledge of Him, we must practically make this holy substitution in the conduct of our lives.

Ways to practice “Holy Substitution”

How can I make holy substitutions in my life?

by the act of your individual will

by faith; by surrendering your will to obey the will of God

Notice: “let” & “be” in the Scripture

let: to permit; to allow

be: to exist in a certain manner or relation

these are both actions of the will; choices to make; (to obey or disobey) see ,;

seems too easy huh?

the means of making this holy substitution is no different than receiving salvation: salvation is by grace thru faith & sanctification (walk) is by grace thru faith! —”As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.”

Just as Christ’s holy substitution for us granted us salvation (taking our sin & receiving His righteousness), so it is for sanctification (putting off our sin & putting on His righteousness).

yet how many times have we said (in response to sin) “I can’t help it!” Bologna!—this attitude belittles & is ignorant of the indwelling power of the risen Christ in each believer. “I can’t help it” is no excuse: if you’re saved you have a choice.

you in your own power cannot conquer sin & do the right thing, but Christ IN you can! The power of Christ in you has no problem whatsoever resisting sin & doing the right thing. He won’t go around the faculties of your mind or will either, He works THROUGH them, “it is God which worketh in you both to will & to do of His good pleasure”

Reasons for “Holy Substitution”

Why should I implement this holy substitution?

God has specific purposes & reasons behind His forbiddance of sin & His commands to righteousness.—after each admonition to put off & put on, we’re given a reason why:

v.25 PUT OFF: lying PUT ON: speaking truth R: b/c we’re members one of another

v.26-27 PUT OFF: sinful anger PUT ON: swift reconciliation R: could give place to devil ()

v.28 PUT OFF: stealing PUT ON: labor in what is good R: to give to needy

v.29 PUT OFF: corrupt communication PUT ON: edifying speech R: to minister grace

v.31-32 PUT OFF: all bitterness & malice PUT ON: kindness & forgiveness R: God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you

If I don’t make this Holy Substitution, if I continue in sin:

Rather than help others, I’ll hurt others.

v.28—would you rather be a giver or a stealer?

v.29—a builder w/ words or a destroyer w/ words?

Rather than mature as a Christian, I’ll be stunted & miserable.

v.25—I’ll hurt my neighbor & in turn hurt myself (b/c we’re members one of another in BOC)

v.31-32—kind & tenderhearted or bitter & malicious?

Rather than resist the devil, I’ll give place to the devil.

v.27—what if I asked: how’s your relationship w/ the devil?

interesting that Satan is a thief (), yet v.27 doesn’t say he “takes place”—truth is he cannot take nor steal “place” in a Christian’s life, (we’re bought w/ a price & are God’s children) , the only way he may have place in our lives is if we GIVE it to him!

“giving place to the devil” refers to giving him access & opportunity to have his own way in our lives. ‘Giving ground to an advancing enemy’—such an instance results in captivity & strongholds set up by Satan (see , )

Hence the repeated admonitions: , ,

Rather than please & obey the Spirit of God, I’ll grieve the Spirit of God.

when He’s quenched, resisted, & disobeyed, that’s when He’s grieved.

grieve: to greatly distress or make sad, disappoint, make sorrowful

How grieving to the Spirit of God in us to desire to give us true practical victory but we choose not to obey him.

Our sin, & moreover the potential to conquer it, yet not utilized, is what grieves Him!

when you despise holiness & righteousness, you’re not despising man, but God which has given us His Holy Spirit