Wouldn’t it be simple, if your sin was my greatest problem.  Observing it, defending it, denying, decrying it, left free of my own conscience and self inspection, free to dally in your delinquency?  Never having to search the scripture or go the Lord in prayer, seeking forgiveness and direction.   Always knowing that every word I pronounce over your works or misdoings are rational, deserved and of divine introspection.  But your sin is my problem, in and only in two ways; first it offends God and I know you don’t want to do that, and second it cheapens the fresh start you were given when you were washed clean by the Precious Blood of the Lord Jesus.  Other than that your sin should not concern me, unless of course we share the intimacy of accountability through which we would share the obligation of sharpening each other.   I love you but I hate your sin, as I hate my own.

This is not simple.  The Christian life in fact is tremendously complicated in that we are expected to make and live by choices.  The choice to serve sin or serve God, the choice to be faithful and walk a life of righteousness and truth or serve ourselves and the circumstances in doing whatever is expedient.  I used to dread each night, when the enemy would have access to my heart and mind, egging me to serve my own selfish wants and disobey what I knew to be right.  But the Lord did not give us the Spirit of Fear, but of Love, Power and of a sound mind, so now I cherish the ability to review my actions, be abhorred at the evil I still do and go to the Lord for discipline and reconfiguration.  I am just thankful that I do not also have a responsibility for your choices, for I cannot control myself, God forbid sway the actions of another.  His Word is sufficient.  I trust that it will produce the same growth in you if you choose to reside in it.  That is my only wish, that you remain close to the Word for it is the Power to transform our lives.

I want and I wish and I will and I wait.  Yes, the voices that drive each of us ring clearly and repeatedly in my head, with my only respite being the commitment to wait upon the Lord.  It ain’t easy to shut off those desires of flesh, eye and pride, that must be done through practiced prayer and patience in the Lord.  There is no short cut.  In fact I am willing to bet that if you see a short cut that you may be certain that the great deceiver is behind the perpetration of said illusion.  Life is it’s own meaning, and the living of it is the prize.  Through the embarrassment, the victories, the wounds, the successes and the blunders we arrive at the outcome.  Not a destination but still palpable, still real, still an achievement.  Run the race, rest, reward and everlasting fellowship with the Almighty lay beyond the finish.

Praise Him in His infinite patience waiting upon all the Earth to come to Him in honesty and truth.  You are the Awesome God.  Amen