Everyday 6: Why Do I Still Struggle?

The core of Christian life is a process of "becoming what you already are in Christ." This means that your identity has fundamentally shifted through your connection to Jesus; you are now, in essence, dead to sin and alive to God. As Romans 6:11-14 declares, "Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus." This statement reflects the profound spiritual truth that sin no longer holds dominion over you.
The New Testament explains that obedience is not a method to earn God's favor or payment for the grace you have received. Instead, it is the natural and loyal response of someone who has already been welcomed into God's family. Grace effectively unites believers with Christ in both his death and his resurrection, thereby breaking the power of sin in their lives. This new identity, established by being raised with Christ, as highlighted in Colossians 3:1-10 where it says, "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above... put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self...", serves as the bedrock for turning away from past practices and living in devoted obedience to Christ, your King. Your ongoing struggle with sin does not signify a failure of grace. Rather, it is within this struggle that your renewed allegiance to Christ is demonstrated as you learn to emulate his life and walk according to his ways. Your complete transformation and freedom from struggle are promised for the future, as 1 John 3:2 reveals: "When he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is."
Understanding this truth should reshape how you view your daily spiritual battles. When you face struggles, remember that they are not evidence that God's grace is insufficient or that you are not truly a believer. Instead, see these moments as opportunities to actively demonstrate your allegiance to Christ and to grow in faithfully following him. Your present journey of sanctification is a process, and the ultimate, perfect transformation awaits you when Christ returns. This perspective gives you both the grace to persevere in your current challenges and a sure hope for the future.