Our Continued Struggle With Personal Sin - The Elephant In The Room

If you love Me, keep My commandments. —John 14:15

“Our Lord never insists on obedience. He stresses very definitely what we ought to do, but He never forces us to do it. We have to obey Him out of a oneness of spirit with Him. If I obey Jesus Christ, the redemption of God will flow through me to the lives of others, because behind the deed of obedience is the reality of Almighty God.” Oswald Chambers

It's the elephant in the room, our continuing to choose our own way, to obey our own voice and not His. To make our own rules and disregard His commandments.  We don’t want to talk about it.  We don’t want to think about it.  We prefer to pretend the elephant is not sitting on our sofa.  And what were His commandments?  Love God, love others, deny yourself, follow Jesus.  

None of which we can do on our own, and all of which, when we try to do on our own, we fail miserably.  I can remember the words from one of our grandchildren when she was 5 or 6.  “Let me! I can do it myself!”  Some might call that self-assurance.  I would call it not wanting to be told what to do. Oops! Where have I heard that before. Oh, yes, it was in the Garden.  It’s how this mess got started. 

 The Greek word used for sin is “hamartia” (ham-ar-tee'-ah) which means to miss the mark.  Aiming for one thing and hitting somewhere else.  Henry David Thoreau wrote in Walden, “There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.” The point here is that we very often deal with sin by trying harder, hacking at the branches of sinful behavior, instead if striking at the root, hitting the target if you will, dealing with sin at its source, a divided heart.  

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone