Jesus – Day 19

Yesterday we spoke of our need of redemption and the reality of the human situation: there is nobody who is good, blameless and without sin. With redemption through Christ Jesus come freedom from sin and the ability to obey God’s commands. By this we can check that we have truly come to know Him, however it is still our responsibility to actively resist evil and wrong, and to choose to keep on the right road.  We learn, as we mature spiritually, that to lie is sin, and to murder is sin, and although we probably imagine that to tell lies is better than to commit murder, we discover that as sin, they are both equally unacceptable to God, and the “wages of sin is death”. (Romans 6:23)

God consistently shows us His standards in His Word: In Philippians 4:8 we read “… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Do we honestly try to live this teaching? Or: “Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5) “… you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other …” (Colossians 3:8-9)

We all fall prey to sin in different ways. As the stranglehold tightens, the heaviness of the burden grows, and, like a drug addict, we sinners go back for more, increasing the burden and compounding the problem. All kinds of illness of body, mind and spirit result. Sin will rob us of joy in living, because even in its least serious form, it destroys peace. Sometimes God allows something to happen in our lives that arrests us and shows us that we have strayed from the path that leads to life. Even when God forgives sin, there may still be consequences that ensue because of former actions, which some may interpret as God punishing them.

For example, a mother who has used harmful substances during pregnancy may give birth to a deformed infant, or lose her baby soon after birth, even though she repents and asks God’s forgiveness. God forgives true repentance but doesn’t always take away the results of the sin. “Is it not from the mouth of the Highest that both calamities and good things come? Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins?” (Lamentations 3:38-39) How we respond to this discipline is key. What can we do when we realize that we have sinned?

We need to remember that Jesus Christ is our High Priest and Mediator who has lived on this earth, suffered temptation, yet remained sinless. He will present our case and enable us to stand before God sinless, cleansed by His blood. To God we must “confess our sins (and) he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Have you confessed your need of Him?