| dealing with sin |
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Dealing With Sin '
Back in my youth when I first became a Christian, I didn't really
understand what confession and repentance meant. I thought it was
necessary to beg God's forgiveness for every sin. That left me worried I
might forget to confess some error--and even wondering if I was truly
saved, since I kept doing wrong. But as I grew up in my faith, I learned
the steps a believer takes to deal with sin.
- Confession is the act of taking
responsibility for sin and agreeing with God that we've violated His
will. We acknowledge that we have grieved His heart by trying to get our
perceived needs met in our own way and timing. Setting the relationship
right begins with admitting where we went wrong.
- Repentance is the decision to turn
away from our sin. We make an honest evaluation of our life and see that
our wrong choices neither honor the Lord nor fit who we are as
believers. Then we focus our mind on God and commit to doing His will.
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Gratitude is our expression of thanks for divine mercy. Forgiveness
isn't earned; confession, repentance, and feelings of guilt can never
"purchase" a clean slate. We receive divine pardon only through the
sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which allows us to have a relationship with
God.
- After confessing, repenting, and
praising God, we move on. To wallow in remorse doesn't suit Christians.
The Father has removed our sin as far as the east is from the west, and
the way we live should reflect our freedom (Psalm 103:12; Galatians
5:1). |
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