The Scars of sin

1 John 1:9 (New International Version)
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

The above verse is very interesting to me for several reasons. The verse indicates that if we confess our sins to Jesus, we will be forgiven. But it doesn’t stop there; it also states that we will be purified from all unrighteousness. But why do I not feel “purified” from all unrighteousness after I confess my sins?

The purification is between us and the one and only Holy God…the creator of all things. It does not purify my mind, because I am still a sinner and have not received my glorified body. This is the basis for my topic today.

What are the real effects of sin in our daily lives? What are the effects of wanton (or willful) disobedience to God the Father?

I began to realize that my greatest struggles “today” may be a direct result of the willful sin of my childhood. Does the fact that I had sex before marriage, lust and “no boundaries” as a young man have consequences in my daily life as a 38 year old?

Yes.

I am not saying that if I had lived a totally pure life as a teenager that I would have no struggles with lust now…however it is my hypothesis that I would have struggled less and would have gained more victory over that area of sin in my life. I may never know what life “would have been like” had I not sinned as willfully as I did when I was a teen; however I am fairly certain that the degree of my struggle today is a direct result of my previous sin.

So sin has scars. Long lasting evidence of early disobedience that exists in my own mind. Jesus has forgiven me and I try to tell myself that I have forgiven myself; however I still have the scars that show the true disobedient me.

I am trying to take this knowledge and use it in my daily life.

If I have the strength today to obey (do what I know is right) then tomorrow will be easier for me. It has been said that most people would rather avoid pain than gain pleasure. I think we need to work to avoid sin which is gaining pleasure as we grow closer to God. Pray for God’s help, because on our own power we are nearly powerless to the strong grasp of sin.

A verse that gives me great hope is:
2 Corinthians 12:9 (New International Version)
9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

We all have struggles in this life. Some of us struggle with alcoholism, some struggle with pornography, some, like me, struggle with lust and some struggle with drugs (and the list goes on and on). Each sin is just as bad as the other to God. Sin is sin. Murder, adultery and stealing are all listed in the 10 commandments.

Jesus kicked it up a notch when he said that even thinking about committing a sin is just like actually commiting it in your heart:
Matthew 5:27-29 (New International Version)
Adultery
27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'[a] 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

Today let’s pray that the Lord will work in our lives to help us endeavor to avoid sin and to gain little victories. For me, my biggest struggle is lust. If I can keep my eyes where they should be, then I avoid the lustful thoughts that follow after seeing a girl that is very attractive. So the little things become big things, so I will work to take care of the little things to avoid sin whenever I can.

God be with you.

Favorite Bible Verse

My favorite Bible verse is John 3:30. It is a very short verse, but it speaks volumes in truth.

Today I want to live in God's shadow.