I once heard a pastor say,"Think of an angel always watching you and what you do, then you will think twice before committing sin." I am sure many have heard of a similar advice.
Very well, this will make us sin less. But, is this kind of obedience pleasing to God?
If we need being watched over and monitored (the principle of law) to not sin, are we really sinless? Even if we don't commit sin, doesn't the sinful thought within count as sin?
Can law guard the heart of man? Paul said, "...commandment came, sin sprang to life..." (Romans 7:9) Sin act is from sin thought, sin thought from sin nature, sin nature is aroused by the presence of law. Even if there is no sinful behaviors there still rages sinful thoughts and the nature of sin in us -- if law is not removed from the conscience.
Adam and Eve had no thought to sin until the commandment was spoken. We all have witnessed a child minding his business, but when told not to do something the curiosity and impulse gets the best of him. He isn't intending on disobeying, but the rebellion wells up inside from the command.
Yet it is not that we want to disobey God in this nature, but have no ability to while under the restrictions of law (Romans 7:19). This is so because our sense of free will is immature.
And only by receiving the spirit of Christ to completely transform and remake the flesh nature can we live in the realm where sin is not stirred by the temptations about us.
This is impossible by our effort to obey law, and may even have a reverse effect. Only trusting Jesus and living in constant grace revelation is it possible to be holy from the living waters of the holy spirit that truly pleases God.
With such faith the angels no more monitors, but look with approval the glory of our purity in Christ!
Amen
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