Over the years, one of my favorite writers and speakers has been Randy Alcorn. When I was in seminary (Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon) back in the late 1980’s, our family attended Good Shepherd Community Church where Stu Weber was lead pastor and Randy Alcorn was associate pastor. We learned much from both Stu and Randy during those years (and have since through their books).

A few weeks ago, I came across one of Randy Alcorn’s blog posts that dealt with the issue of “How do we overcome sin in our lives as Christians?” that I wanted to share with you (click here to read more). Here is Randy’s brief post dealing with the question of “How Do We Overcome?”

Recently, Of First Importance posted a citation from D. A. Carson, one of my favorite theologians and writers. If you’re not familiar with Carson, I highly recommend his works. Contemplate these biblical and powerful words:

“How dare you approach the mercy-seat of God on the basis of what kind of day you had, as if that were the basis for our entrance into the presence of the sovereign and holy God? No wonder we cannot beat the Devil. This is works theology. It has nothing to do with grace and the exclusive sufficiency of Christ. Nothing. Do you not understand that we overcome the accuser on the ground of the blood of Christ? Nothing more, nothing less. That is how we win. It is the only way we win. This is the only ground of our acceptance before God. If you drift far from the cross, you are done. You are defeated. We overcome the accuser of our brothers and sisters, we overcome our consciences, we overcome our bad tempers, we overcome our defeats, we overcome our lusts, we overcome our fears, we overcome our pettiness on the basis of the blood of the lamb.”

– D.A. Carson, Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010), 103

This brings to mind the words to the old 19th century hymn “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand,” which I love:

My hope is built on nothing less / Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, / But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; / All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face, / I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale / My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; / All other ground is sinking sand.