Sin Doesn’t Have to Win

Let’s talk about sin. Just for the sake of discussion, would anyone like to suggest how we master it? What are its consequences? From a moral perspective, is sin just a set of rules someone put forth back in the day to keep a so called civilized society in check? Isn’t it true that the culture and customs of a particular nation might be just the thing that would make the stomachs of those in a different nation turn inside out? In my vain attempt to put some perspective on this, let me put forward that I believe there are sins of the flesh and sins of the spirit. Most of us, however, would generally accept the premise that there is an obvious difference between moral and immoral. Others would suggest, you do yo thang, I’ll do mine; do what you wanna do. But isn’t morality a barometer for sin? Aren’t there rules for the ages that really are etched in stone and never change?

There have been countless volumes of space and dialogue devoted to Jesus’ blood contract with us that many believe freed us from sin. “…and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood…” Revelations 1:5. Now to those of us who claim Christianity, this shouldn’t be complicated, even though it appears that living righteously and morally is a struggle matched only by trying to comprehend and understand the meaning of life itself. Yes, this is hard, but I ask you, is it worth it? I don’t know about you but the struggle to live without sin is a recognized and acknowledged impossibility, regardless of who you are or, how righteous you claim to be. The beauty in all this is our God is a God of another chance. The key to all this is, as you’ve read me say, attitude; yours not God’s. That attitude will eventually dictate the outcome. If it is god centered, if it is truly the result of a sense of humility and vulnerability in relation to God, if remorse is real, then perhaps mercy will be forthcoming.

With the right attitude, developed out of submission to God, I submit sin can be expunged from your record much like it is when a judge decides to do so for reasons of the court. Start with your confession to God as scripture tells us. You see this confession is like no other. Lying just ain’t happening as far as God is concerned because the truth cannot hide, will not hide from you or the Lord. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John; 8-9. The outcome, if we can comprehend this, is eternal life; not eternal death. It requires a daily practice of choosing against sin in the name of God. If you believe this life is all there is, then I might be able to understand deliberate sinful pursuits. If you believe in more, then sinful mistakes are just that; sinful mistakes made not in the name of the Lord. “But anyone who does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense…Jesus Christ.” 1 John 2:1. Getting to your desired outcome in this light is not that hard. But remember, the rules really are etched in stone.

May God bless and keep you always,

James,  jaws@dallasweekly.com