“If
we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
I have known people, and, come to think of it, I am one myself, who look for reasons why they are not responsible for what happens in their lives. We want to feel good about ourselves. That we had no part in the problem we are facing. One motive is that we want people to think well of us, but I think largely it is because we want to think well of ourselves.
What does it mean to be a sinner? What does it mean to fall short of the glory of God? (Romans 3:23) I mean what does that look like in the living out life and the struggle with our sin nature, day to day? How much do we play a part in that sin? Sin is not something that just happens to me. I must yield to it. If God calls us to live in a different way than our sinful nature demands then there must be a way for us to do it. And there is.
The first step is accepting the reality that our sin nature has not gone away. We are prone to wander. Our sinful nature is not just about what we do and what we say, it is much deeper than that. It permeates every nook and cranny of our being. To our innermost thoughts. Many of us, perhaps most of us, over time are able to control the outside so we have the appearance of righteousness, but on the inside, our thought life, is raging. Jesus addressed this when He spoke of the hate and lust.
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. […] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – Matthew 5:21-22,27-28
Don’t be surprised or dismayed or, worse, think you are a failure when you struggle with your sin nature. We are not stronger than our sin nature. We, through our “won’t” power, cannot control sin any more after we become a Christian than we could before. Paul addressed that problem in Romans chapter 7:15-25. Nothing frustrates me more than deciding not to do something, only to do it anyway. But by the power of His Spirit and His Word, we can. What we must do is choose whether we submit to our sin or to the Spirit. Don’t let your feelings of guilt keep you from the Father. Sin craves the darkness. The Spirit brings light. Sin brings separation. The Spirit brings unity and restoration. Recognize the struggle. Praise God that there is no longer condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). We live out our lives in these “jars of clay” and in a fallen world. There is a song that was written by Dale Evans, the wife of Roy Rogers, that I remember from when I was a young boy – way before I was Christian, “Have faith, hope and charity. That’s the way to live successfully. How do I know? The Bible tells me so. Don’t worry about tomorrow, just be real good today. The Lord is right beside you. He’ll lead you all the way.” Funny what you remember. My point. God cleans us up from the inside out.
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
Prayer, the Word, and fellowship with other Christians are the key to living the Christian life. Make it a point to focus on spiritual things during the day or you will be quickly consumed by your old nature. That is a certainty. Day to day victory over sin does not just happen. And when you do sin, and you will, don’t try to hide it – confess it. Confession is not a revelation to God, it is agreement with God. People may not know what you are thinking … what is in your heart, but God does. He knew what you were like and still sent His Son to restore you. So rejoice!
I have known people, and, come to think of it, I am one myself, who look for reasons why they are not responsible for what happens in their lives. We want to feel good about ourselves. That we had no part in the problem we are facing. One motive is that we want people to think well of us, but I think largely it is because we want to think well of ourselves.
What does it mean to be a sinner? What does it mean to fall short of the glory of God? (Romans 3:23) I mean what does that look like in the living out life and the struggle with our sin nature, day to day? How much do we play a part in that sin? Sin is not something that just happens to me. I must yield to it. If God calls us to live in a different way than our sinful nature demands then there must be a way for us to do it. And there is.
The first step is accepting the reality that our sin nature has not gone away. We are prone to wander. Our sinful nature is not just about what we do and what we say, it is much deeper than that. It permeates every nook and cranny of our being. To our innermost thoughts. Many of us, perhaps most of us, over time are able to control the outside so we have the appearance of righteousness, but on the inside, our thought life, is raging. Jesus addressed this when He spoke of the hate and lust.
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. […] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – Matthew 5:21-22,27-28
Don’t be surprised or dismayed or, worse, think you are a failure when you struggle with your sin nature. We are not stronger than our sin nature. We, through our “won’t” power, cannot control sin any more after we become a Christian than we could before. Paul addressed that problem in Romans chapter 7:15-25. Nothing frustrates me more than deciding not to do something, only to do it anyway. But by the power of His Spirit and His Word, we can. What we must do is choose whether we submit to our sin or to the Spirit. Don’t let your feelings of guilt keep you from the Father. Sin craves the darkness. The Spirit brings light. Sin brings separation. The Spirit brings unity and restoration. Recognize the struggle. Praise God that there is no longer condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). We live out our lives in these “jars of clay” and in a fallen world. There is a song that was written by Dale Evans, the wife of Roy Rogers, that I remember from when I was a young boy – way before I was Christian, “Have faith, hope and charity. That’s the way to live successfully. How do I know? The Bible tells me so. Don’t worry about tomorrow, just be real good today. The Lord is right beside you. He’ll lead you all the way.” Funny what you remember. My point. God cleans us up from the inside out.
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
Prayer, the Word, and fellowship with other Christians are the key to living the Christian life. Make it a point to focus on spiritual things during the day or you will be quickly consumed by your old nature. That is a certainty. Day to day victory over sin does not just happen. And when you do sin, and you will, don’t try to hide it – confess it. Confession is not a revelation to God, it is agreement with God. People may not know what you are thinking … what is in your heart, but God does. He knew what you were like and still sent His Son to restore you. So rejoice!
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