How do you master sin, if that’s even possible? Is sin for you not sin for me? What are the consequences of sin? Or, is it all just a set of rules that someone down through history decided were the moral conditions needed to keep society in check?
There have been countless volumes of space and dialogue devoted to Jesus’ blood contract with us that in fact freed us from our sins. “…and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood…” Revelation 1:5.
It shouldn’t be complicated at all, but living morally, living righteously, living between the lines is a struggle matched only by trying to understand the meaning of life itself. This is hard, yes. But is it worth it?
I don’t know about you but the struggle to live without sin is a recognized, acknowledged and appreciated impossibility. The beauty of this is that God is a God of yet another chance. The key here is attitude; yours, not God’s. Your attitude will eventually dictate the outcome. If it is God-centered, if it is truly controlled by a sense of humility and vulnerability in relation to God, if remorse is real, then mercy will be forthcoming.
It stands to reason, then, that with the right attitude grounded in the right relationship, maybe sin can be mastered. It starts with confession, I’m told. Confession to God is not like any other confession. God knows when you’re lying to him and to yourself. In this instance, the truth cannot hide, won’t even try to hide from 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 1:8-9.
The outcome, should you dare to comprehend it, is eternal life, which requires faith, which requires belief, which requires a daily resolve to choose against sin in the name of something so much greater. If you believe this life we live now is all there is, then I might understand deliberate sinful pursuits. If you believe in more, however, then sinful pursuits are real mistakes and mistakes can never be made in the name of the Lord.
“But if anyone does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ.” 1 John 2:1.
From time to time, Jesus deserves a break. Consciously do the right thing. You know you can. Choose to do so. It’s not as hard as you think. And remember, the rules are really etched in stone.
