Since that time I have been preaching the victorious Christian life. It is entirely possible to overcome sin through Christ, to gain the victory over sin. It is not only possible, it is absolutely necessary if we expect to receive the rewards designated for the overcomers.

Away with this teaching that we have to sin while we are in the world! It came from Satan and belongs to Satan!

I am sure I will hear the old song, "Nobody is perfect. We all have to sin until we go to Heaven." What rubbish!

Sin began in Heaven around the Throne of God. Why, then, is it true that we will not be able to sin when we go to Heaven? On what basis do we believe such a totally unscriptural idea?

Jesus Christ came to earth to destroy the works of the devil. Christ has the power to conquer Satan in our personality.

I am not referring to being "sinlessly perfect" or any of the other objections that are raised. In the first place, our idea of perfection and God's idea are two different matters. When Christ commanded us to be perfect He was not speaking of being perfected. Being perfect and being perfected are two different states of being.

An individual can only be perfect for the day. If he keeps on being perfect each day the point eventually will be reached where he or she has been perfected; and being perfect has nothing to do with being in Heaven, on the earth, or beyond the Milky Way galaxy.

What does it mean to be perfect each day? It means only that we have prayed and obeyed through the challenges of the day. We are not walking around in condemnation, we are praising the Lord and living in victory through Him. In this case the blood of the Lamb keeps us without condemnation even though we have not as yet been perfected.

If God speaks to us about covetousness, then we confess our covetousness, renounce it fiercely, receive our forgiveness, and, by the Spirit of God, turn away from it. Covetousness will die in us if we really want to get rid of it. The reason people do not get delivered from sin is that they do not confess and renounce it specifically with enough determination.

If you have confessed and renounced a sin, and it does not vanish immediately, do not become discouraged. You are in a battle. Keep on confessing and renouncing the sin, not in a stressful frantic manner but in an attitude of praise and confidence in Christ; and the first thing you know the power of covetousness in your personality will be broken.

"Walk in the Spirit," Paul said, "and you will not fulfill the lusts of your flesh."

Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Read the Bible promise. Determine to make it your own possession. Then, nothing can prevent your receiving the blessing.

Whenever people tell you that a New Testament promise was for the Apostles, or no one is perfect, or as long as we are in the world we have to sin, turn away from them hastily. Their unbelief is keeping them from the blessing. Don't allow them to take your crown of rejoicing.

To be continued.