Do you live with besetting sin? Are there areas in your life that you just can't seem to get victory in? Do you feel like you make the same mistakes over and over? I'm right there with you. I struggle to keep my attitude sweet and patient. I lose my patience and my mouth goes in the wrong direction way more often then I like. Ugh!!! Again and again.
Thankfully, we are told in 1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. Also in Psalm 103:12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. And also thankfully we are made right in God's sight through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
All true. All glorious manifestations of our Father's love and grace. But still, just because we are forgiven does not mean we are not to fight against the sins which so easily ensnare us. Romans 6:1-2 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of His wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin how can we continue to live in it. Hebrews 10:26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. Does it bother you to sin?
Now, maybe these all sound contradictory. But they are not. We are forgiven and redeemed when we humble ourselves in repentance. And that is where the relentlessness comes in for me. Lamentations 2:18 Cry aloud before the Lord, O walls of Jerusalem! Let your tears flow like a river day and night. Give yourselves no rest; give your eyes no relief. I see the call to relentlessness here.
I will be relentless in my repentance. Relentless in my pursuit of holiness. I will continually humble myself, no matter how many times I am besieged by the same sin. I will continually run to my Father and Savior for forgiveness and help. I believe what it says in Romans 3:22-25a 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. And I will relentlessly mourn for my sin and seek solace in my faithful Savior. Jesus Himself has told us Matthew 5:3-6 "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. 6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied."
Lord, thank You so much that Your forgiveness is so unswerving, so abundant, so complete. Lord, I loath that I struggle with the same sin time and time again. My heart is humble before You in my mourning of this. Your love knows no bounds. And for that I am so grateful. Please let me not take for granted this loving forgiveness You offer. Help me to relentlessly repent, relentlessly seek, and relentlessly refuse to give up in standing against the sin in my life. It is You who work in me. It is You who will change me. Thank You Lord. Help us to remove any deliberate sin from our lives immediately and to renew our minds and thinking to line up with Your Word that we may be made holy. You know we all have weak areas where victory seems impossible. But nothing is impossible with You. Let us relentlessly seek to work out our salvation with fear and trembling...constantly pursuing holiness. Thank You again Lord for Your mercy, patience and love. It's in the only Savior's Name I pray, amen.
Is your heart repentant? Do you make light of your sin or do you humble yourself before God, submitting to His commands. Are you relentless?
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