02/22/2020
We all wrestle with sin. There is not one of us that sin does not desire to penetrate, and subtly begin to transform into its unholy image. One defect in our armor and we are made imperfect; one small scratch, one tiny sin. If we consider Jesus in light of this we see how amazing His sin free life was, and how astounding His work in us is.
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Colossians 3:5 ESV
In 1985 I bought a new truck. It was shiny, didn’t have a scratch on it, and smelled wonderfully new inside... I was so happy in it, but it was a truck. I was a fisherman at the time, and that winter I wanted to create some fish attractors in the lakes where I fished to increase my catch. To do this I had to take small cedar trees to the lake, and after weighing them down with bricks, drop them to the bottom at key locations in the lake; places where I already knew fish traveled in number. So I loaded the bed of my truck with cinderblocks, trees, and wires for the journey, and to eventual use in the lake. However, when I arrived and started unloading my cargo I saw that the cinderblocks had scratched up the bed of my truck, and it was no longer without blemish.
As I made trip after trip onto the lake, and placed my attractors at key river bends, or underwater features that I knew would hold fish, I worried about my truck, and how it no longer looked perfect. Finally, on the drive home, I convinced myself that it was a truck, and trucks by their very nature are meant to work... and would thus show scratches and dents as a result. I accepted what I had done by consoling myself in the fact that it was inevitable, but despite my attempts to placate myself, I saw those scratches every time I placed something in the bed, and felt regret for them. Sin is like this; sometimes we know we are involving ourselves in it beforehand, but at other times we discover that our seemingly innocent actions have led us to it. Then we console ourselves in the fact that we are imperfect men, and by our nature will receive the scratches and dents of sin. We make excuses to lessen the disappointment we feel, and so that we can live with that sin without much remorse... yet it lingers.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”
Romans 1:18-20 ESV
Excuses, we have been making them for our sins since Adam blames Eve in the Garden of Eden, and they are just as lame today as they were then. Do you recall his words as he pointed his finger at Eve?
“The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate."”
Genesis 3:12 ESV
Then Eve likewise attempted to divert blame by concocting her own excuse...
“Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."”
Genesis 3:13 ESV
Yet our excuses hold no water, because our bucket that was once perfect has now sprung a leak. Our actions have damaged it, and our life has been changed by the sin that has pierced it. So how do we avoid the damage of sin? Well, we must avoid sin itself... there is no other way. We can do this by placing a covering between ourselves and the fallen world, and that covering is the Word of God... His armor.
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:11 ESV
We also avoid dwelling on the temptations that lead to sin...
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-9 ESV
So we ask... is there no way for us to undo the sin, and the damage it has caused; can I never remove the scratches, dents, and holes in my life? The answer to this question is “Sort of!” We can’t remove the fact that we have sinned, but we are offered forgiveness, and relief for our conscience through the blood of Jesus Christ...
“Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.”
Hebrews 9:15 ESV
The death and resurrection of Jesus frees us of the conscious worry, and spiritual damage that sin, without repentance, continues to have on us, but the scratches remain. God forgives, and chooses not to remember because of the blood of Christ that covers us, but that does not remove the fact that we once sinned... so although we may bear the marks on our body, such as the damage from a sexually transmitted disease we suffered from an illicit affair, it makes us perfect in God's eyes once more, and removes our guilt for those past transgressions.
“For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more."”
Hebrews 8:12 ESV
Our sins are covered, forgiven, and made invisible by the blood of Christ. God forgives, and forgets, because we have been washed clean of unrighteousness by Jesus.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 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.”
1 John 1:7-9 ESV
Jesus washes the infection of sin from our scratches and wounds, but the healed scar will remain. Then God chooses to forget that sin, and even sees the scar no more. I have a scar in the eyebrow of one eye, but by her love my wife sees me as perfect, and she no longer notices that imperfection... this is how God looks upon us once the sin has been removed. His love looks beyond the scars left by our sins.
So we fight the battle against sin every day, and whether subtle, or bold, we are meant to defeat it by the Word of God, and by wearing the armor He has provided. We are meant to resist temptation by concentrating on what is good, and not entertaining bad thoughts. This is a conflict that we can, and will, win through Jesus Jesus Christ, and the grace of God. Are we ready to do battle? Are we ready to don the armor of God’s Word? Are we ready to accept the blood of Jesus? Are we ready to ask for forgiveness, and receive the purity that awaits us?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the love you demonstrated to us by sending your Son Jesus to live, die, and be resurrected so that we could be saved from sin. Thank you Merciful Father for your Holy Spirit that gives us an understanding of your will, your Word, and who teaches us to be comforted in your mercy and forgiveness. Thank you Lord for the message of your grace that we receive even while in the midst of our sin. Help us to accept your blessings, the Word, the love, the blood, the grace, the forgiveness, and even the forgetting, and the way you no longer see our scars. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves so magnificently. Great are you whose Son proclaimed that greater is He than he who is in the world. Praised be your name Father for standing patiently waiting for us to return home, and meeting us joyfully on the road of redemption. You are worthy Lord; worthy of all honor and worship. Hear our voices as we sing out that all glory is yours, and made evident in your grace... now and forevermore.
Rich Forbes