The root of sin is usurping God’s prerogative to be God in our life, that is to define for us what is good and what is bad. As sinners, we want to control and make decisions for what would be good, beneficial and pleasurable for me now. Often these decisions are driven by flesh, rather than the Spirit, as Paul says in Romans 8. Satan deceives us that sin brings pleasure, benefit, and success. God’s standards and commandments look constraining to our misguided hearts, while in reality they are given to make our life holistic, productive, and joyful in communion with others. When apostles reminded believers about their holy conduct they did not simply impose commands on them, they always reminded them who they are in Christ, how God views them, what place they have in God’s family. We need to study and remind ourselves about these truths to overcome sin. The more we know the Trinity, the more we become like God. This is why apostles often prayed that believers grow in the knowledge of God and Christ (Phil. 1:9; Col. 1:10; 2 Pet. 1:2, 8; 3:18).
Eduard Borysov born in Artyomovsk, Ukraine (in 2018 the town was renamed Bakhmut due to decommunization process in Ukraine), is a professor at Kyiv Theological Seminary, Ukraine. His favorite movie is The Kingdom of Heaven, his favorite smell is coffee and chocolate, his first job was helping his dad in construction, and when not engaged in academic rigor he enjoys visiting friends and watching movies.
