What we critically need in the process of our theological thoughts and even in our churches today is a powerful dose of Absolute realism. As we process our faith when we become believers, and as the Holy Spirit comes to be present in us ( the true meaning of baptism), we must critically realize that He is not going to override our ability as free moral agents when it comes to sin. If we really want to sin we still possess the ability to sin in spite of His presence within us. What the Holy Spirit does bring within us, is the substratum of Divine presence and power ( what it truly means to be anointed) so that if we choose to overcome any particular mortal or spiritual sin we have a presence and power that supercedes our own, allowing us to conquer those areas that are causing affliction in our lives. What the Holy Spirit does immediately remove in our lives when He comes to live within us is the universal concept of sin which is referred to as “estrangement”. The Holy Spirit’s presence within us conquers our immediate awareness that we are estranged from our Heavenly Father and Creator and cleanses us from past and present sins but does not disengage our free moral wills over against future transgressions. We must continue to walk into the future measures of Holiness through obedience to our Father’s word, repentance/penitential prayer, and a willingness to do what is spiritually, morally, and ethically responsible by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit if we are to have lives free of the prehensible tentacles of sin. We must stop complaining and blaming the Lord, our neighbors, or even ourselves for the sin in our lives and spiritually grow in maturity to where we responsibly deal with habitual sin and free our lives of it at all costs and sacrifice. Making anyone else culpable will not resolve the problem. (Just reflecting in the early evening hour)
-Bishop Dr. Guy A. Cox