06/24/2017
Am I a sinner? Am I leading a life of innocence, or seeking to be pure? Will God forgive me when I sin against Him? These are the questions I am asking myself as I contemplate sin in my life, and the world around me.
This morning I read about realizing that sin was in the world, and in me. As I did so it became clear to me that being in a state of innocence is not possible considering my human nature. We are asked to be pure... not innocent. The trap in this understanding is that we would use the inevitability of sin in our lives as an excuse for it. This begs the question: "Am I prepared to battle sin each morning when I rise?"
“Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."”
Luke 22:52-53 ESV
Oswald Chambers understood that sin was our natural state, and it was not to be accepted and negotiated with, but rather, battled constantly in our quest for purity. He wrote these words regarding sin and our inability to be innocent of it...
"Jesus never trusted human nature, yet He was never cynical, never suspicious, because He trusted absolutely in what He could do for human nature. The pure man or woman, not the innocent, is the safeguard for man or woman.... Innocence is the characteristic of a child; it is a blameworthy thing for a man or woman not to be reconciled to the fact of sin." - Oswald Chambers
Sin is real, and we will face it every day; not just in others, but in ourselves as well. If we deny this fact then we are liars, and we have truly lost our way:
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
1 John 1:8-10 ESV
Here are a few of the things we should understand about the nature of sin, and our inevitable interaction with it:
1. Sin is real and a part of our nature.
2. Sin can't be avoided in this world.
3. None are innocent or free of sin.
4. Sin is not to be reconciled with.
5. Sin must be confronted in ourselves and others.
4. Sin must be avoided as we seek purity in ourselves.
5. Sin is committed knowingly, unknowingly, and by absentia.
6. Sin can not defeat the repentant Christian.
7. God forgives us of our sins.
These are just a few of the more obvious truths about sin, but in the seventh point we can claim victory... not by our doing, but by the grace of God.
So, I am a sinner, I must combat it every day, and God will forgive me, but how do I recognize sin and avoid it? The clue to answering this question comes in the last six words of 1 John 1:10... "his word is not in us." Studying God's Word leads us to an understanding of sin and reveals to us how it should be avoided, or combated. The Bible holds the key to unlocking our ability to recognize sin. As we study scripture we come to an understanding of sin and become aware of the immensity of God's plan for separating us from it through a His Son Jesus Christ.
When we come to the realization that sin is inherent to us, it would be easy to become despondent, and to stop right there and throw in the towel. In this moment of our coming face to face with sin we are confronted by Satan with the desperate nature of ourselves, and he tells us the ultimate lie... "God hates you because He hates sin!" Then he quotes the Bible by giving you verses such as...
“The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.”
Psalms 5:5 ESV
My friend, what Satan doesn't tell you is that God forgives the repentant, and that He loved you enough that He sent His Son to die for your redemption from sin; even as you were fully embroiled in sin... He has provided for the resolution of the sin vs righteousness dilemma.
“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:6-8 ESV
Love and hate... are they mutually exclusive? Parents face this question all the time; we hate some of the things our children do, and yet our love for them is so strong that we seek ways to teach them to realize their transgressions and to reconcile ourselves with them as they attempt to "sin no more." If we exhibit such grace, how much greater do you think God's grace is for us?
I don't care how bad you think you are, or how far away from God you feel, you are not without hope, or beyond His ability to love. In your most unworthy moment, you are not lost from God's ability, or desire, to forgive. He has made provision for your salvation. All you must do is accept His Son Jesus Christ as your savior, and approach Him in contrition and humility... asking His forgiveness.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
This scripture talks to the sins we face, but it also speaks to those sins that Satan would have us believe have imprisoned us, and separate us forever from God. But my friend, no lie could be more vile. Our hope, faith, and the love of God are not only our escape, but His promise to an eternity with Him... and in as much, purity can be achieved through our faith in Jesus and the sacrifice He made for us.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for providing me escape from my sinful life through your Son Jesus Christ. I thank you for loving me even when my life was fully engaged in sin. Holy Father, your love for the sinner is such a mystery, and the grace you provide overwhelms my attempt at understanding. I beg your forgiveness Lord for those sins I know I have committed, those I committed when I knew them not, and those I committed by not doing the right thing when the opportunity to confront sin presented itself. Heavenly Father, your mercy abounds and my faith in your forgiveness gives me relief from the traps that Satan places before me. I trust in your Word and know that through it my understanding of the nature, avoidance, and forgiveness of sin is perfected. Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice, and my redemption. You are my Lord and Savior, and in you my salvation is sealed; in you the Word becomes complete. Praise you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for the love, the sacrifice, the enlightenment, the forgiveness, and for completing the plan, that saved a sinner like me when no hope nor escape seemed possible. Praise be to God, for great is He indeed.
Rich Forbes