Q. What should be my reaction to sin in my life?
A. God instructs us to react in several ways. First, we should repent. First John 1:8, 9 states, ‘If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ The Bible declares the absolute importance of repentance. We must agree with God and bring our sins before Him seeking forgiveness. If we refuse to repent God will then judge our sinfulness.
Second, we should trust God’s Word. The above verse also teaches that God will forgive and cleanse. Not only are we to repent but we are to trust that God is merciful and forgiving. God no longer holds us accountable for our sin and resolves to clean up our lives by making us (our desires, thoughts, actions, etc.) like Jesus. God promises His child that not only has He begun to work in his/her life but He will not quit until that job has been completed (Philippians 1:6).
Third, we should flee from sin. We may repent and trust God but we should never underestimate the seductive nature of sin. Sin is full of pleasure for a while but in the end it destroys. We continually battle the world, our sinful nature, and the Devil. It is too easy to be overcome by sin not to protect one’s self from it. That is why the Bible says, ‘. . . flee from these things (sin), you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness’ (1 Timothy 6:11). We should run from and avoid sin.
Last, we should pursue godliness. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:6, ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.’ Sin should disgust and frustrate us and righteousness should excite us. I love pizza and any time that I’m about to eat it my mouth begins to water and my belly yearns. This should be our response any time we consider righteousness/godliness. We should want more and more to be like Jesus and bring glory to our Heavenly Father through our obedience to His Word.
Doug Richey, Pastor-Teacher
Copyright 2008, Doug Richey
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