Lust and Salvation in the Christian Life
Lust and Salvation in the Christian Life
The Christian understanding of lust is rooted in biblical teachings that describe it as a sinful longing or inward desire that leads to falling away from God (Rom. 1:21) [1]. This concept is closely tied to the idea of salvation, as the Christian life is characterized by a struggle against lusts and a pursuit of holiness.
In the New Testament, lust is often associated with the flesh and is seen as a hindrance to a life of obedience to Christ. The apostle Paul writes that believers have "crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts" (Gal. 5:24) [8]. This crucifixion is not a one-time event, but a ongoing process of mortifying sinful lusts, as described in Romans 8:2 and 1 Peter 2:11 [2, 3].
The Christian understanding of salvation emphasizes that it is a gift from God, received through faith, and not earned through human works (Eph. 2:8-9) [4]. Salvation involves a transformation of the individual, where the old sinful nature is put off, and a new nature is put on (Col. 3:9-10) [7]. This transformation is made possible through the work of the Holy Spirit, who enables believers to live a life of obedience to God (Titus 3:5) [5].
Different Christian traditions interpret the relationship between lust and salvation in various ways. Some emphasize the importance of self-denial and mortification of sinful lusts as a necessary aspect of the Christian life [2]. Others highlight the role of God's grace in enabling believers to overcome lust and live a life of holiness (Eph. 2:10) [6].
The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, emphasizes the possibility of entire sanctification, where believers are freed from the influence of sinful lusts [8]. In contrast, the Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill, focuses on the ongoing struggle against sin and lust, and the need for believers to continually seek God's grace and empowerment to live a life of obedience [9].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Lust — Sinful longing; the inward sin which leads to the falling away from God (Rom. 1:21). "Lust, the origin of sin, has its place in the heart, not of necessity, but because it is the centre of all moral forces and impulses and of spiritual activity." In Mark 4:19 "lusts" are objects of desire.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Romans “Romans 8:2 (LITV) — For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus set me free from the law of sin and of death.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
- Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:5: 3:5 not because . . . but because: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to merit salvation and God’s grace (see Gal 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Eph 2:8). • He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth: See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. • and new life through the Holy Spirit: This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:10: 2:10 He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us: Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation. God’s Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life (Gal 5:22-23).”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:9: 3:9-10 your old sinful nature . . . your new nature: Paul contrasts old and new identities (see also Rom 5:12-21; 6:6; Eph 4:22-24). Believers strip off their old life and put on Christ’s new life, allowing him to be Lord and to guide the way they live.”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 5:24: And they that are Christ's - All genuine Christians have crucified the flesh - are so far from obeying its dictates and acting under its influence, that they have crucified their sensual appetites; they have nailed them to the cross of Christ, where they have expired with him; hence, says St. Paul, Rom 6:6, our old man - the flesh, with its affections and lusts, is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. By which we see that God has fully designed to save all who believe in Christ from all sin, whether”
- 1 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 4:5: Not in the lust of concupiscence,.... Or "passion of lust"; for the mere gratifying and indulging of that; for a man so to possess his vessel, is to cherish the sin of concupiscence, the first motions of sin in the heart, by which a man is drawn away, and enticed; to blow up the flame of lust, and to make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof: even as the Gentiles which know not God; for, though they knew him, or might know him with a natural knowledge, by the light and works of nature, yet they knew him not savingly and spiritually, as he is r”