clase 3 Hamartologia y humanidad

Understanding the Struggle with Sin

The Internal Conflict of Believers

• The speaker introduces the topic of internal struggle within believers, referencing Romans 6:11, which states that while believers have died to sin and are alive to God, an internal battle persists.

• The concept of "remaining sin" or "the flesh" is discussed; it no longer dominates believers but remains active in daily life. Paul’s experience in Romans 7:15 highlights this conflict.

• The speaker emphasizes that even devoted Christians can feel frustration when they fail to obey God fully, illustrating this with Paul's struggles as a believer rather than an unbeliever.

• According to Romans 7:22, true believers delight in God's law due to regeneration by the Holy Spirit. However, there exists another law at work that opposes their desires.

• This ongoing struggle signifies spiritual life; if there were no conflict, it would indicate a lack of regeneration. Unbelievers do not seek liberation from sin as Paul does in Romans 7:24.

Hope and Assurance in Christ

• The speaker shares Paul's declaration of gratitude for Jesus Christ (Romans 7:25), emphasizing hope amidst struggle and affirming that there is no condemnation for those in Christ (Romans 8:1).

• Believers are reminded that remaining sin does not hold ultimate power over them because Christ has broken its dominion through His sacrifice.

• Encouragement is given not to despair during struggles but to continue walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5), confessing sins quickly and recognizing sanctification as a gradual process.

Living Between Flesh and Spirit

• The tension between flesh and spirit provides opportunities for growth in humility and dependence on God. Believers should look towards Christ for strength against remaining sin.

• The nature of human depravity inherited from Adam conflicts with the indwelling Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:17 illustrates this ongoing battle between desires of the flesh and those of the Spirit.

Victory Through Walking in the Spirit

• Within each believer lies a constant conflict; while flesh leads toward selfishness, the Spirit guides towards holiness.

• Paul advises believers to "walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16), indicating reliance on divine guidance rather than personal effort against sinful desires.

Contrast Between Works of Flesh and Fruit of the Spirit

• Paul lists works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19–21), warning that those who practice such things will not inherit God's kingdom due to their enslaving nature.

• In contrast, he presents the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), highlighting qualities like love and joy produced naturally by living under God's influence rather than through human effort.

Victory Through the Spirit

The Nature of Victory

• True victory is not achieved through personal effort but by walking in the Spirit daily. One should seek to be filled with the Spirit and depend on God for guidance in decisions and temptations.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

• Opposition serves as a reminder that believers are not alone; the Holy Spirit actively works within them, producing spiritual fruit such as love, joy, peace, and patience.

Embracing Conflict

• Experiencing internal conflict indicates that the Spirit is at work. Believers should rejoice in these struggles as they signify spiritual growth and transformation into Christ's image.

The Miracle of Regeneration

Becoming a New Creation

• Genuine surrender to Christ results in radical inner change; believers become new creations where old things pass away (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Divine Heart Transplant

• God replaces a hardened heart with a new one that desires holiness and obedience (Ezekiel 36:26-27). This transformation leads to genuine love for God and others.

Ongoing Transformation Process

• While regeneration is instantaneous, it does not eliminate sin immediately. The old nature remains present, leading to ongoing battles even after conversion.

Illustrations of Growth

Metaphors for Spiritual Growth

• The process of sanctification can be likened to a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly or a seed growing into a tree—both require time, care, and nurturing from God.

Continuous Renovation

• Just like restoring an old house involves gradual improvements, sanctification entails renewing every aspect of life under God's guidance until it reflects His glory.

The Journey of Sanctification

Understanding Sanctification

• Sanctification is an ongoing journey rather than an instant achievement. It requires daily reliance on God's grace until believers are called home.

Divine Assistance in Obedience

• God actively works within believers to instill holy desires and empower them to do good according to His will (Philippians 2:13).

Understanding the Process of Sanctification

The Role of Humility in Spiritual Growth

• Paul acknowledges his ongoing journey towards spiritual maturity, emphasizing that he has not yet attained perfection. He states, "No que lo haya alcanzado ya, ni que ya sea perfecto" which highlights the importance of humility in recognizing one's spiritual state.

Continuous Pursuit of Holiness

• The process of sanctification is described as a lifelong journey rather than a one-time event. Paul encourages believers to "prosigo," indicating that growth and striving for holiness are essential throughout life.

Illustrations of Spiritual Growth

Seed to Tree Analogy

• The transformation from seed to tree illustrates gradual growth in sanctification. Just as a seed germinates slowly into a fruitful tree, believers experience daily maturation through God's grace and the Holy Spirit's influence.

Marathon Runner Metaphor

• Comparing sanctification to running a marathon emphasizes perseverance amidst challenges. Like an athlete who faces fatigue and obstacles but continues toward the finish line, believers must persist in their faith journey despite difficulties.

Home Renovation Example

• The restoration of an old house symbolizes God's work in our lives post-conversion. Initial changes make us habitable for God, but ongoing renovations reflect continuous renewal in thoughts and behaviors over time.

Transformation After Metamorphosis

• Using the butterfly analogy, even after transformation (metamorphosis), there is still a learning curve involved in flying gracefully and effectively—representing how believers grow into their new identity in Christ gradually.

The Reality of Struggles and Progress

Embracing Imperfection

• Believers may notice areas where they struggle or feel stagnant; this is normal as God does not expect instant perfection but daily faithfulness instead: "Dios no espera perfección instantánea."

Hope Amidst Struggles

• Despite imperfections, there is hope for victory through the Holy Spirit's power; true believers will fight against sin rather than accept it as part of their lifestyle: "El verdadero creyente odia el pecado y lucha contra él."

Understanding Sin and Righteousness

• John clarifies that while those born of God do not practice sin habitually, it does not mean they never sin; rather they resist making sin their norm due to the transformative work within them: "Juan no está diciendo que el creyente nunca peca."

Confession and Spiritual Hygiene

The Importance of Daily Confession

• Daily confession is essential for spiritual health, as highlighted in 1 John 1:9, which emphasizes God's faithfulness to forgive and cleanse us from unrighteousness.

• Confession should not be a one-time act at conversion but a continuous practice whenever the Spirit convicts us of wrongdoing.

Illustrations of Continuous Confession

• Personal hygiene serves as an analogy for confession; just as we wash our hands daily to remove dirt, we must confess regularly to prevent the accumulation of sin.

• Gardening illustrates the necessity of pruning; God removes sinful habits through confession, allowing us to bear more fruit in our lives (John 15).

The Process of Spiritual Growth

• Climbing a mountain symbolizes our spiritual journey; setbacks occur, but perseverance and confession lead to growth and strength.

• Acknowledging struggles is vital; repeated confession indicates genuine spiritual life and reliance on God's grace rather than personal perfection.

Key Takeaways on Victory Over Sin

• Continuous confession leads to deeper communion with God and gradual victory over sin. We are encouraged to celebrate small victories along the way.

• Five key points summarize the struggle against remaining sin: ongoing internal conflict signifies spiritual life, tension between flesh and spirit exists, regeneration brings new desires, sanctification is progressive, and daily confession fosters real victory.

Practical Application for Personal Struggles

• Reflect on personal areas of struggle without shame; bring them before God with humility. Romans 8:1 reassures that there is no condemnation for those in Christ.

• Engage in practical steps each week by seeking specific victories through prayer and reflection on daily experiences related to these struggles.

Cultivating Daily Faithfulness

The Process of Spiritual Growth

• Emphasizes the importance of daily faithfulness, likening it to a garden that God is cultivating within individuals.

• Highlights the transformation of character traits: love replaces selfishness, peace replaces anxiety, and patience replaces impatience.

• Stresses that this growth is not forced but produced naturally through remaining in God and trusting His process.

• Encourages students to leave with hope rather than discouragement from their shortcomings, as Christ has already triumphed over sin.

• Reminds them to live joyfully and humbly while depending on God's strength for confession and grace for personal growth.