When It’s About You
Have you ever been in a place where you blew it, and you asked God for forgiveness, but still felt guilty, and defeated? Maybe you’re in that position now. In many instances, people enter into a half grace, half works approach. They know it’s by God’s grace they are forgiven; and yet, they attach performance to forgiveness. That includes making vows not to repeat the offense, and add, “I’ll do better next time.” At the same time, they’ll hold themselves captive to the possibility of failure. How so?
By focusing on not sinning in the same manner again. In so doing, they actually elevate the sin above God’s grace that enables them to walk in His righteousness. Sin is sin, and when a person elevates one over the rest, he gives it power to rule over himself; even though, sin does not have dominion over those in Christ (more on this in a moment). When a person does that, he becomes sin-conscious. It’s a great way to depart from grace. Meaning, the avoidance is based on self-effort; not faith.
Secondly, he may hold said trespass above his own head, in that he believes if he were to repeat the offense, he didn’t actually repent. That could feel devastating if it did reoccur. Of course, a lack of repentance may be an issue; however, it might simply be his focus led him in the wrong direction. There is no victory in self-effort. Our victory rests in Jesus Christ alone.
When people take this approach to failure, they tend to take their eyes off Him, and place their focus on themselves. When you put an emphasis on behavior modification, you overlook the bases of forgiveness, which is the Supreme Sacrifice of Jesus Christ given on our behalf. Which of course, is receive by faith; not works (see Ephesians 2:8-9). As long as person stays on the “I’ll do better path,” he will always struggle with guilt and defeat. The question in the back of his mind will be, “Did I do good enough?”
A Key to Winning
In every instance, it is important to take God at His Word. It is the antidote to guilt and failure. Because God is true, His Word is trustworthy. What does the Bible say about a person who has sinned?
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Please note, this last verse does not say, “when you sin.” That serves as a hint. It means we are not doomed to sin again. However, if you were to blow it, confess it to Him, and receive His forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 clearly states, “He is faithful and just to forgive us.” The forgiveness was paid for by Jesus Christ, Himself. We cannot add anything to what He did for us. “I still want to make up for what I did.”
Sure, it’s natural to want to make up for it. If you want to make things up to Him, do it His way. Repent, confess, and receive His forgiveness. Learn from it, and move on in the relationship.
Furthermore, realize He not only cleansed you; He made you righteous in Jesus. Something you can never accomplish by works. It’s very humbling, and being humble is a great place to be. Again, what does Scripture say?
2 Corinthians 5:21 For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
Clearly it says we are the righteousness of God in Him. If you’re clean, you have right-standing with Him. No need for guilt, shame and condemnation!
Here are some passages of Scripture to study, and meditate on in relation to having dominion over sin. Remember this: it is all about Jesus, and our position in Him; not what we do. Righteous behavior is the result of Him living in us. Take Him at His Word!
Romans 6:5-6 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin (read entire chapter for full context).
Romans 6:11-12 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
1 John 3:5-6 And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known Him (read entire chapter).
