04/10/2022
Are there days in which we are able to make it from sunrise to sunset without a sinful thought, or uttering a single word that would be displeasing to God? Are we sure? While driving to work, or along any busy highway, don’t we find it almost impossible to resist becoming irritated with someone, or muttering something we wouldn’t say out loud but are willing to mumble under our breath? How about a thought that pops into our mind, and embarrasses us? Do you ever find ourselves thinking “I am glad I didn’t say that out loud”? We might be able to stop ourselves from verbalizing the thoughts that boil up from within our hearts, but although we haven’t said them, and they might not hurt someone else, they still poison us, and God knows our hearts.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 ESV
Sin in all its forms, whether subtle, or outrageous, will find a way to surface itself in us, and it does so every day. So how do we resist it, and how do we pray for forgiveness? God, and Jesus Christ are truly our rocks when it comes to rebuffing sin. Scripture tells us that God is the Word, and the Word is God so if we meditate on the Word of God then we leave little room for sin in our lives. Jesus was also without sin, and if we focus on being like Him we too will fortify ourselves against sin. Resisting sin begins in our heart, mind, and our thoughts; if it can be defeated there then we can prevent it from manifesting itself in our outward lives.
“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.”
1 Peter 2:21-22 ESV
Yet the Bible tells us repeatedly in both the Old and New Testaments that we are not without sin, and that if we say we have no sin then we are liars. Knowing this we are still encouraged elsewhere to work towards defeating sin in our lives by thinking on those things that are good and wholesome.
“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 do all of these things to protect ourselves from sin, but although lessened we find that our carnal selves, although better, and more righteous, are still falling victim to sin. Oh, we might control many of the larger sins, but every now and then the old man or woman we used to be will bubble to the surface. Even knowing this, we should never give up our struggle against sin, but hold fast to the grace of God.
“Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 5:20-21 ESV
Does this mean that grace has given us a license to sin?
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”
Romans 6:1-2 ESV
In this life we will move towards perfection, and when Jesus returns we will be perfected completely…
“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”
1 John 3:2-3 ESV
What then do we do in the meantime? We pray for forgiveness, and continue our struggle towards righteousness. We repent, we humble ourselves in contrition, and we ask for God to forgive our sins… washing us in the blood of Jesus. We ask Him to forgive us for the sins we have committed knowingly, unknowingly, and by abstention (by not doing what we should have). We should pray that we be forgiven for the sins we committed outwardly, and those hidden sins that we have carried in our hearts and minds, but never allowed to see the light of day.
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
James 4:8, 10 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus, and the redemption from sin we receive through His precious blood. Thank you for your mercy for we are sinners, and for your grace that is stronger than every sin known to man.
Holy Father we ask that you help us to forgive those who have trespassed against us, that we might be forgiven. We pray that you hear our moaning as we kneel in repentance, and contrition. Forgive us Lord as we wallow in our grief and heartbreak, seeking your mercy, to be cleansed in Christ, and to enter into your presence. Forgive us father for those sins we have committed knowingly, unknowingly, and by abstention. Forgive us for those we have committed outwardly for all to see, and especially for those sins we carry within us, and wrestle with each day… sins known only to ourselves and you.
Wash us clean in the blood of Jesus, and strengthen our faith so that we can continue to resist sin in our lives, and come to stand before you pure, and worthy in Jesus on the day of judgement. Call us worthy, and announce us as your children on that day Lord. Bless us with eternity in your presence, and pour out over us your joy and peace we will find there.
“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
Rich Forbes