Sin and Grace

MARVELOUS HUMBLING GRACE

I have been praying about a particular subject. The subject has been about the sin in my life and the daily everlasting grace of Jesus."...But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:20-21 Have you ever fully acknowledged the depths of your sin, only then to allow yourself to experience the unconditional grace of Jesus, so powerfully that it humbles you and brings you to your knees in repentance and in gratitude?

COUNTLESS SINS

After 10 years of walking with the Lord, God has never stopped showing me the depths of my many sins. From smaller sins like stretching the truth, to larger sins like pride, greed, jealousy, lust, worry, fear and doubt; God reminds me of why Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave. "For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that He may have mercy on them all." Romans 11:32 God has placed the "LAW" into our conscious, convicting us through His Holy Spirit, and leading us to surrender before His throne of grace in repentance, so we can then truly appreciate His grace!

THRONE OF GRACE

Because of my faith in God, I can repent of my sins through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. I can approach His throne of grace with full confidence, knowing that I am in good hands and that He will help me no matter what, even though I do not deserve it! "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

NOT BASED ON MY PERFORMANCE

After years of striving to improve and yet stumbling often, I can praise Jesus boldly because there is no condemnation for those who believe in Him. "So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.... What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!... Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,..." Romans 7:21-8:2 I am thankful that my status with God is not based on my performance, but based on my faith and trust in Jesus!

HIS GRACE WAS 100%

If I have learned anything from the power of sin and the power of His grace, it is that His grace is greater than all of my sins and this is to His glory! "I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" Galatians 2:21 Have you ever thought of how God’s sovereign grace undermines our pride! When was the last time you really thanked Jesus for His grace in your life? Can you thank Him now?

GRIEVING THE HOLY SPIRIT

While the grace of Jesus is greater than all of our sins, I am also reminded this does not give me a license to sin. Why? Because when we sin, we grieve the Holy Spirit who dwells in our hearts. "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30 The danger of continually sinning is that we get to a point in which we no longer hear the voice of God. And don't we want to hear God? If God has compassion for us in our times of need, can we also then have compassion for Him as well? God actually gives us the opportunity to bless Him when we stop sinning and when we wait upon Him to help us in our times of need.

SUBSTITUTE CALLED SIN

If we choose to do wrong because we have a particular need or desire within us that we want filled, we are then choosing a substitute for a fix called sin. Why do we choose to sin when God can provide us with a way out? If we ask Him to replace our desire to sin with His Word and His Holy Spirit’s power, He is faithful and will always help us. When we wait upon the Lord and trust Him to replace our sinful desires, we can then witness, experience and see God provide for our needs. And as a result we really get to know Him! "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

RESIST AND WAIT UPON THE LORD

The next time you need to get your way (sin), resist the enemy and ask God to help you as you wait upon Him! There is nothing better than to witness and experience God's hand of grace answering your prayers in your time of need. And if you have just messed up again, simply go to God's throne of grace, and He will meet you there with open arms of mercy and grace. Why? Because as believers, we are His children forever!

BELIEVERS ARE BLESSED

So, when was the last time you truly thanked Jesus for His sacrifice on the cross? "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered." Psalms 32:1 When did you last savor His grace in your life? Can you openly thank Him right now, in front of others? Will you praise Him right now?

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