10/18/2019
Do we obey God’s word, and His commands? Are we attentive to His will, and adhere to His precepts? Or, do we lean on His mercy, grace, and forgiveness in daily contrition for the everyday sustenance of our faith... knowing we fail Him repetitively? Is asking for forgiveness day after day a legitimate substitute for obedience?
“And Samuel said, "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”
1 Samuel 15:22 ESV
Most of us are addicts, we are addicted to a particular sin that we just can’t seem to shake. We know it is wrong, and yet we continue in it, returning each morning and evening in tearful prayers of contrition, asking for forgiveness. We are contrite, and thankful for that prayer, and forgiveness, but is this what God had in mind for us when He sent His Son to take on the sin of the world? Did He mean for it to continue on unabated in us, a roundabout on our road to eternity?
“Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more." ]]”
John 8:10-11 ESV
Jesus forgives, but He also says “go, and from now on sin no more.” Forgiveness is like a temporary bridge to get us over a particular obstacle we have encountered along our way. It is meant to get us passed a particular sin we have committed, but once we are forgiven we are to move on, and continue our journey... not to go back and forth over that same bridge... not to go around and around as if on a roundabout retracing our same steps... not to take up residence there. Our goal in forgiveness is to regain our footing, and righteousness, it is our gift, a return to redemption... a toll paid for us as we travel the straight and narrow road of faith. Forgiveness allows us to continue on. Will we be forgiven more than once for the same sin... yes... would Jesus rather we go and sin no more.... absolutely!
“Always remember that to stay strictly on the path of your Savior’s command is better than any outward form of religion; and to listen to his teachings with an attentive ear is better than bringing the fat of rams or any other precious thing to lay on His altar.” - Charles Spurgeon
Over the years I have painted the inside of my house many times, and before the invention of newer paints, that aren’t nearly as strong smelling, it meant opening all of the windows for several days. Sin is like that, the smell of it is strong, and unpleasant, and the windows must be opened to remove it. But there is another interesting thing about the smell of that paint... after a while I didn’t smell it any longer so I would close the windows, and everything seemed to have returned to normal, but if I left the house for any period of time, and then returned, I could smell it again; perhaps not as strong, but the odor was still there. Sin is like this too... we become accustomed to it, reaching the point that we think it is normal, and no longer find it unbearable. When we have a sin that we continue to live in, we lose our sensitivity to it, and yet, it is still there, and everyone who visits us knows it! This is like repainting our house over and over again; at some point we no longer smell the paint ourselves, but the odor remains... it becomes our normal. So how do we avoid this? We ask for forgiveness so that we will be cleansed, we pray for a strength of faith, and then we go and sin no more. We will trust in Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
“Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
John 8:34-36 ESV
And...
“No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.”
1 John 3:9 ESV
So we can’t be satisfied with sinning and still remain in God, and in fact we don’t desire to. Our desire is to obey, to remove ourselves from sin, and to seek the Lord’s forgiveness by the blood of Christ if we should stumble. Our goal is to listen, obey, sin no more, ask forgiveness if we should err, and remain righteous. If we find ourselves trapped in a roundabout of sin, forgiveness, sin, forgiveness, sin... or are unable to smell the sin in our house any longer... then it is time to ask for God’s help through fervent prayer and fasting, seek out the elders of the church, and to lean on Jesus, and the Holy Spirit for rescue.
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
Romans 13:14 ESV
How is the smell in your house today? Or perhaps you find yourself trapped in a roundabout with no obvious exit? If so, then it is time to seek the Lord, and lean not on your own understanding, and ability. There is freedom for the slave, and healing for those addicted to sin. Are you ready to obey?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the strength of prayer, the sacrifice of Jesus, and the understanding provided by your Holy Spirit, because in these we are lead to obey your Word, your commandments, and your will in our lives. Thank you Holy Father for the saints, and elders who surround us and bolster us in our daily faith. Thank you for the angels that you send to watch over us, who fend off the evil that seeks to destroy us. Thank you for providing us with escape from temptation, and for helping us to see it. Merciful Father, help us in our obedience, rescue us from the slavery of sin, and heal our addiction to it. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who has lifted us from perpetual sin by sending His own Son to redeem us. Praised be your name for your mercy, and forgiveness of sin. All glory is yours Lord as it is made evident by your grace. Strong is your right arm, and complete your courage... help us to be like you are as we lean on you. Help us to remain strong, and courageous in our obedience to you.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12 ESV
Rich Forbes