Here’s the post I was planning to write on Monday, when my own sin tripped me over.
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I think oftentimes we don’t take sin seriously, because we don’t see it for what it is–a big deal. How often during the day do we sin? If we examined every thought, action, and pattern what would we find? Would we see a reflection of God?
How often do we stop and repent? And when I say “repent” I don’t mean mumbling a hurried, “I’m sorry, God. Forgive me.” before moving on. But do we examine the sin in our lives? Do we seek to understand and dissect the sin patterns and strongholds we walk in? Repentance requires a complete 180 degree turn.
To get real with our sin we must see it for what it is.
What is sin?
Simply put, sin is the bad things we do. It is any offense that contradicts the holiness of God.
Who defines what is bad?
God.
What’s the standard (ie, what’s good enough to get by)?
Perfection. Complete holiness. Being like Jesus.
That’s unattainable.
By yourself it is, but with Christ…
But how bad is sin really?
Sin is bad. Really bad. We all know it. That’s nothing new. When sin is in the picture there are both mortal and eternal consequences.
Mortally, sin affects our relationships, our freedom, and our peace of mind. Eternally, sin not dealt with affects our relationship with God. It separates us from Him for all eternity.
Even for the believer unrepentant sin causes a chasm between themselves and God. It’s a hindrance to growth and a source of pride. Without thinking when we sin we’re often saying, “I know how to do this better than God does. I don’t need him.” And when we sin what we’re really doing is picking up arms with the enemy and joining his team.
Sin hinders just how well we know and experience God.
What’s the bottom line?
Here’s the real question…
To believers, How far (and free) do you want to follow Christ?
To unbelievers, What’s the risk you’re willing to take on eternity?
How can I get right with God?
Repent.
As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Change.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Seek Him, he will be found.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Admit that you can’t save yourself. No good person goes to heaven, only those who admit they are great sinners in need of an even greater Savior.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
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