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Articles
I need Jesus!
There is no excuse that is sufficient for the debt I owe for my sin. I have the knowledge and the ability to do differently, but the temptation becomes too great for me to resist. I have once again sinned against my God. My surrender to temptation causes me inward pain, and godly sorrow convicts my heart of my failure. It seems with each passing day that I am becoming weaker, rather than stronger. My conscience is riddled with the scars of previous sins, and I struggle to make the right decisions in my life. Sin desires to take the reins of my heart, but my mind is still battling with my faithfulness toward God. A battle wages between my flesh and spirit. The tide of temptation is ever increasing, and I am beginning to lose my focus. My greatest weakness is my inability to see the way of escape. My failures cause me to ask painful questions – Will God forgive me for another stumble? Will He ever love me as His child again?
These thoughts demonstrate that we all have similar struggles in this life. Our desire is to be faithful to God by humbly submitting to His will, but there remains a battle in our lives against sin. The apostle Peter warned his readers – “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). We all stand on a level playing field in our commission of sin. We have been thoroughly warned, but temptation may seem too great to escape at times.
There is a battle being fought between our flesh and spirit. The apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians –
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (5:19-21).
These temptations of the flesh have plagued man since the beginning. While they may offer us temporary happiness or physical euphoria, the end result is far from the presence of God.
In our weaknesses, we must be willing to seek God! The only offer of true freedom in this world is found in Jesus Christ. Jesus said – “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:31b-32). The freedom offered by Jesus is forgiveness from the guilt and pain of sin. When we find ourselves in sin, then we must repent and seek for God’s forgiveness. When I am lost in the darkness of this world – I need to seek His light! When I am suffering from my failures – I need to seek His mercy! When I am alone and without a friend – I need to seek for Jesus!
The relationship between God and His creation has always been desired by the Father. The love of the Father propelled Him to send His Son to die on our behalf! God’s grace is immeasurable and far greater than anything this world will ever offer. Where the world offers us temporary release, the Father offers to every person eternal life. Sin cannot be tolerated in the lives of Christians, but rather we must find ourselves entirely reliant upon God. If we will confess and repent of our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us from all unrighteousness!
The pain and sorrow of our sin should never be diminished in the life of a Christian. This pain should motivate within us a heart of sorrow that will earnestly repent of each sin. We may continue to have struggles, but the promises of God stand resolute for all who are willing to maintain their faithfulness toward Him. The apostle John wrote –
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:15-17; emphasis mine, bcj).
May God give us a heart of flesh that feels the pain of sin and the sting of its effect. Let us strive to submit faithfully to His will and serve Him with all the days of our lives. We must never forget that our greatness need in this life is Jesus Christ and the salvation offered through His name!
