As believers we think we have a lot on our plates. From our perspective, however, that shouldn’t mean we’re challenged beyond our capacity to fulfill God’s destiny for us. It just means we have a purpose: God’s.
The more we understand and internalize this, the more we see and appreciate the individual blessings in our lives. This time it’s not forgiving yourself I’m talking about. It is God’s forgiveness and grace.
Nowhere in the Bible can I find an expectation by God that you won’t sin after you are saved. To the contrary, the expectation is that you will. God’s grace and Christ’s blood have taken care of that for you and me. We just need to keep the appropriate perspective regarding sin and prayer and let God know our confession is genuine.
Luke 17:1 says, “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to the person through whom they come.” This one stunned me, and I thought I’d pass it along to you. “But woe to the person through whom they come.” This kind of redefines friendship and fellowship, don’t you think?
This statement doesn’t absolve the sinner from the sin, but it does put a huge burden on the one bringing the sin. The consequences of this act appear to be catastrophic. For anyone to truly hurt you, they have to be close enough to you to kiss you. Can you say, “Judas?”
You cannot plead ignorance on this one. God won’t let you. Woe is waiting.
This verse continues to illustrate how you should respond to one who sins against you. You forgive. Period! The verse is also clear as to your role in the body of Christ. Don’t bring sin to the party and try to convince others it really is okay to engage in it. Eve did that, and we all know how that turned out.
You are forgiven, and you are to forgive. I don’t follow a God of confusion. This is pretty simple. But let’s not get it twisted. This can be a trap, as in entrapment.
Don’t fall for it. Do not ask your friends and family to wallow in your ‘”oh, woe is me.” That’s an indication of a lack of faith. The alternative is His “oh, woe is you.”
