As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:12
Meditation: Sometimes, there is a vicious cycle of sin. We fall to sin, feel remorse, get down on ourselves, feel bad and then end up falling to sin again. The “experts” say that this cycle is very common in addictions, especially with sexual sin. It is a cycle that can lead to depression, isolation and even worse sin in a downward spiral. The self-loathing that often comes with this cycle may lead us to be mean and nasty to those we love the most: wives, children or closest friends. The fortunate part of this is that we don’t have to live in that terrible, destructive cycle. When Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sin of mankind, He took it all away. When we repent and surrender our lives to Christ, our sin – every sin we have committed is gone. As far as the east is from the west, God doesn’t hold it against us and has wiped it away.
Yes, present sin may put a strain on our relationship with the Lord but it isn’t God who has moved away. When we are holding on to some sin of unforgiveness, sexual sin, anger, envy, or whatever it might be, we will pull away from the Lord. Satan will come along side and tell us that we aren’t worthy and can’t get close the Lord. He will heap on the condemnation that will tend to pull us away from the Lord and drive us to sin more. My brothers, God never will condemn those who are in Christ Jesus. He will convict us of our sin, but that conviction will draw us to the Lord, not push us away. We need to reject the condemnation and turn to the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. We repent of our sin and accept the forgiveness He gave us through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Living in forgiveness means that we don’t allow our sin to pull us away from the Lord. But when we fall into sin, we get up, repent (turning away from the sin), thank the Lord for His mercy and grace and move on. We will never be sinless in this world, but as we live a surrendered life and walk in the Spirit, we will sin less.
Challenge: Do you live in condemnation and the vicious cycle of sin, remorse and more sin? Does it seem like this cycle will never end? Give it all to the Lord. Accept His love, grace and mercy, not because you feel it, but because He promises to love you no matter what. Do you know someone else stuck in this cycle? Tell him how much God loves him, that God is not mad at him and that He wants to help him live in victory, not defeat.
Thought for the Day: Thank you Lord that you have taken my sin and separated it from me. Help me to live life in your forgiveness, clinging to you every day.
Chris Garner
Used by permission – Fortified Marriages.