Nov 21, 2018
If we claim to know
Jesus and yet walk in sin, we lie and do not live out the truth. 1John 1:6
We can't love Jesus and
keep sinning---choose.
Over the years, this short book has grown to be one of my
favorites in the Bible. It is rich with
memorable verses that each show the Gospel of Jesus, and challenge our lifestyles
to be the best possible. One of my
favorites is 1John 1:9 – if we confess
our sins, He is faithful & just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. WHAT AN AMAZING
PROMISE!
But the power of that verse is lost if we don’t grapple with
verse 6. As big of a truth as confession
is, sin is just as big of a lie. Before
we approach God in confession to receive forgiveness, we must come to grips
with what sin is.
Humans think we have the right to define the boundaries of
sin. We have the audacity to think that
our moral standards or political platforms can determine what is right and
wrong. Just in our generation, we have
seen the legalization of abortion, euthanasia, recreational drugs, same-sex
marriage, and more. I’m not saying that
we are all in agreement with those practices, nor is our measure of righteousness
in life defined by the party we vote for.
But the fact is, we believe WE define the standards of sin. That’s a LIE deep from the pit itself.
The creation doesn’t define the rules. It’s not the parts that write the
installation guide, it’s the designer that does that. Until we stop claiming Jesus while living out
our sin, we’ll never get to the point of true confession to find
forgiveness. That’s not God’s fault ---
He keeps offering us the deal of a lifetime (eternal lifetime)! That’s our fault for not listening to the
Designer of Life.
Take a moment and OWN your sinful practices. What are you doing these days that is against
the Word of God? What behaviors do NOT
reflect the New Creation God intended you to be? How are you justifying your sin by claiming
God forgives you anyway?
-
You are NOT good enough (so thinking you’re a
good person is a lie).
-
God didn’t create you that way (we don’t get to
blame God for the sin we choose to do).
-
Your upbringing or life situation is not the
cause (they contribute, but you’re still choosing).
Jesus offers you grace and mercy, not as a license to sin,
but as a freedom FROM sin. Stop lieing
to yourself and others. Confess your
sins, accept the forgiveness, and get the help you need to stop living in those
sins! The sooner you change, the quicker
you can find God’s forgiveness & blessing.
John tells us plainly:
You can’t claim the love of Jesus while you practice the sin of Satan –
choose!
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