My heart broke for a young Christian the other day, persecuting himself for continuance of sin. How awful it must be to be in that position, believing that you have been set free from sin but still finding within yourself the same elements and actions of antiquity. This is a misunderstanding of Grace and the Hope that we have been promised. Additionally, this is the same old teaching of self improvement offered by the world in its “works” dominated selection of religion by performance. We do not earn our way to heaven. We do not deserve to go to heaven. And we do not complete the work here but rather surrender to God’s wonderful perfect craftsmanship through the process of sanctification by walking with Him in this crucible of life.

Paul, one of the most devout characters of the Bible was in his previous life, before transformation a man who sought out and punished, jailed or killed Christians. Yet, Paul understanding the nature of Grace never condemned himself for the sins he committed realizing that the act of Judgment is God’s alone in Christ Jesus.  Paul though did cry out to God regarding this continuance of sin and found that it is inherent this body that has not yet been purified and still remains the flesh from which we sought original release. That makes sense though, for without struggle, without complication, trial or difficulty is anything ever achieved, especially when perfection is the expected outcome?

Look, I sin daily, with my eyes in pride and in the lusts of this dirty old flesh, but that is how it is supposed to be that we might resist the devil and he flees. Then having faced that temptation in the same manner our Lord faced it when here, we meet patience, when left to do its work leads to perfection. That is the way this is supposed to play out. I am sorry for my sin, I despise my sin, but I know that there is a day coming when I will leave this dirty flesh and be acquainted with my glorified body free at last from the effect and influence of my continuance in sin. I am turning away from my sin in repentance, but when I do sin I turn to God in that repentance and He is the only one who can forgive my sin, so He does, as He promised. No, I may not continue in the same sin expecting that God will not discipline me as necessary to transform that behavior for I am to resist that temptation until He offers me the way to escape which He always does.

Don’t teach people to remain in guilt when Christ has set them free. Judgment is the Lord’s alone, not ours, even self condemnation. Walk with God, listen to the voice of the Good shepherd guiding you through His Spirit. Begin to build up callus where before was easy pathway to the influences of sin. Grow up in your faith as does anything that remains in the transforming Hand of discipline. Do not quench the Spirit of God nor forget that He has to walk through each sin you commit with you. That thought alone ought to provoke daily surrender, daily picking up your cross and walking the skinny path toward the light of eternity. I pray for you that your heart heals and that you let God be God and you be you. In Jesus’ precious name.