Question 11: If Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the Law, why do believers still struggle with sin? Why don’t we experience total victory now?

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1) What Exactly Did Christ Redeem Us From?

The key verse:

Galatians 3:13 — “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…”

What is “the curse of the Law”?

The curse is:

  • Condemnation

  • Judicial punishment

  • Spiritual death

  • Separation from God
    (See Deuteronomy 28; Romans 6:23)

Jesus removed:

  • The penalty of sin

  • The legal condemnation

  • The eternal judgment

But Scripture does not say He immediately removed:

  • The presence of sin

  • The fallen human nature

  • The battle with flesh

This distinction is crucial.

2) The Three Tenses of Salvation

The Bible presents salvation in three dimensions:

1. Justification (Past): We have been saved from the penalty of sin. (Romans 5:1)

2. Sanctification (Present): We are being saved from the power of sin. (1 Cor 1:18)

3. Glorification (Future): We will be saved from the presence of sin. (Romans 8:30)

We are living in stage #2. Stage #3 is about future, that’s why the struggle exists.

3) The Already / Not Yet Kingdom Principle

Theologians call this the “Already–Not Yet” tension.

Christ has already:

  • Defeated sin

  • Defeated Satan

  • Secured victory

But the full manifestation is not yet complete.

Example:

  • D-Day vs V-Day in WWII
    The war was won, but battles continued.

Similarly:

  • The cross secured victory.

  • Daily life still involves spiritual warfare.

4) The Flesh Still Exists

Romans 7 — Paul’s Personal Struggle

Paul says:

“The good that I would, I do not…”

Even an apostle experienced conflict.

Why?

Because believers still carry:

  • Fallen human nature (flesh)

  • Habits formed before conversion

  • Weakness of body and mind

Salvation changes our position, but transformation of behavior is progressive.

5) Indwelling Sin vs Reigning Sin

Important theological distinction:

Before salvation: Sin reigns (Romans 6:14)

After salvation: Sin remains, but does not reign

A believer may fall, But sin is no longer their master.

That is a massive difference.

6) Why Didn’t God Remove Sin Instantly?

The Bible suggests several reasons:

a) To teach dependence on grace (2 Corinthians 12:9)

b) To develop spiritual maturity (James 1:2–4)

c) To produce humility (1 Corinthians 1:29)

d) To demonstrate sanctification process (Galatians 5:16–17)

Spiritual growth requires conflict.

7) The Role of the Holy Spirit

Victory is not automatic.

Galatians 5:16:

“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

The Spirit empowers, But does not override free will.

We cooperate with grace.

8) Complete Victory Comes at Glorification

Full eradication of sin happens when:

  • We receive a glorified body

  • Sin nature is removed

  • Death is destroyed

Romans 8:23 speaks of:

“The redemption of our body.”

That redemption is future.

9) Summary Theological Framework

AspectBefore ChristAfter ConversionFuture Glory
Penalty of sinCondemnedRemoved—
Power of sinEnslavedBroken—
Presence of sinPresentPresentRemoved
NatureFallenBeing renewedPerfected

We live in the middle column.

Final Theological Answer

Christ’s redemption is:

  • Complete legally

  • Progressive practically

  • Perfected eternally

We struggle not because the cross failed,
But because sanctification is a process.

The war is won.
The battle continues.
Glory is coming.

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