"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." - Luke 6:43-45
Does your continued propensity to sin bother you? Maybe even caused you to have doubts about your faith? Well, after reading what Jesus said about good trees (that's us) and not bearing bad fruit (that's sin) it can and should be disconcerting. IMHO (I am trying to catch up with the initial thing - in my humble opinion) we will not be perfected until we meet Jesus face to face. That may happen on this planet should He not tarry, but my guess is that is not likely at least for my generation. So, what does that mean? Well, that is why John wrote ...
"If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
David was called a "man after God's own heart" and yet he sinned. Psalm 51 was written after the Prophet Nathan confronted David over his sin with Bathsheba and having her husband put to death by putting him in the most dangerous place in a battle, so David was free to marry Bathsheba. Does that sound like a man after God's own heart or a man having a problem with lust. But this is what he prayed in Psalm 51.
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; .... Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness." - Plam 51:1-4, 10-14
Is there hope for us? I would say the Bible says "yes"! Our righteousness is found in Jesus who was without sin and not in our weak and sin prone flesh. Does that mean that it's OK and God just winks at our sin from heaven? Absolutely not. But He has given us the Word of God and the Spirit of God to help us navigate temptation, sin, as we live out our days on this planet.
Jesus said that the greatest commandment is "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." The "ALL" part has been problematic for all of us me-thinks, has it not? So, what should our outlook be?
I find myself in agreement with John Newton - former slave ship captain - writer of the song Amazing Grace - and instrumental in influencing the abolition of slavery in the United Kingdom -
"I am not the man I ought to be, I am not the man I wish to be, and I am not the man I hope to be, but by the grace of God, I am not the man I used to be"
Can I get an Amen? and maybe a Hallelujah!
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
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