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| The topic of sin is so ‘in my face’ now. It’s been awhile since God has reminded me of this inevitable truth. The reason why it is real to me is because I see the product that my sin bears. Just as we can bear positive fruit from the Spirit, we can also bear fruit… actually I don’t want to use the word fruit. Let’s just say “product.” We can also bear a product from our sin too. Because I see the product that my sin can bear, and that mind you, is not a pretty one, this is why sin is so real. I see the ugliness of what sin can do. When I day in and day out find myself committing over and over again the same sins, the same mistakes, it is so discouraging. And when my sin has an effect towards other people, bringing them down, discouraging them and drawing emotions that weigh a person down… and when it’s your own sin that is the cause of all of this, it brings a necessary burden upon your heart. This, in short, is what I’m experiencing. God is reminding me that I am a sinner and that my sin can have consequences not just towards myself (becoming a careless person) but also towards others (bringing them down).
When you commit the same sins over and over and over again, it’s only natural to be discouraged. But the news of the Gospel is not just we are far greater sinners than we could have ever imagined but also brings about the message of hope and grace. That is, the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, the grace and hope that is available, is far greater than we could have ever imagined. That grace covers over every single mistake that we’ve done in the past, are doing in the present, and will do in the future. You see, I’m at the stage where I’m just realizing that I’m far greater of a sinner than what I had imagined myself to be. I’m dwelling on it a lot. Maybe its because I’m coming to grips with the weightiness of my sin. Or maybe its because I’m in utter shock of how bad I can fall, how deep I can fall into sin. Whatever the case may be, I need to remind myself of the other half of the gospel. The part that brings christians hope, joy, a reason to celebrate, all of that good stuff. The gospel of grace allows us to be free from the bondage of the sin that burdens our hearts because on the cross many years ago, it was paid for. Now the question is, “do you want to continue dwelling over your sin and have the work of the Jesus be done in vain?” Is it not supposed to be more than sufficient to cover over all your mistakes, all your sins? Right now, grace is only a mere concept that I know in my mind. I’ve been told about grace at church so much but right now, I am not applying it and I am not having it do it’s work of liberating me. I hope that as the next few days go on, that I would incorporate this valuable idea of grace into the picture of sin. I mean, if I completely miss grace, then I’m missing the sweetest part to the gospel.
Words of Wisdom: Be careful with relationships (intimate bf/gf or friendships). Whatever you decide to invest your time in, invest your heart in… there comes the responsibility and weightiness of the other party, and not just yourself. Especially in intimate bf/gf relationships, please think twice before you play with another person’s heart, emotions, mind. Because that is a very very very precious and fragile thing. I am learning about this now. God does not appreciate or tolerate you sinning and that, to stumble his child. The next guy or girl you decide to “toy” or “play around with” please do understand and have yourself be warned that this guy or girl isn’t just any “guy” or “girl.” They are God’s daughters and sons. Think twice before you play around with someone who, in God’s eyes, are viewed as “precious.” The God we worship is a God of emotion and when his children’s hearts break, God grieves. If avoidable, please try not to make the mistake of hurting another person cause once a person’s heart and emotions break, it’s hard to repair.
Practical Advice: I find this very helpful. I wrote a lot about how I’m reminded of my horrible sin, and it’s effect unto myself and others. My mistake is that I sometimes overlook grace or even forget grace. I find it helpful to remind myself every morning as the sun awakens you to reflect briefly on the previous day’s series of events: the mistakes you committed, the joys that brought you to feel like the happiest person on earth. All of that, the highs and the lows, bring it to the Lord in thanksgiving and/or repentence. And as the new day starts, just ask for strength to start the new day knowing that though you may fail, the gospel of grace covers over your mistakes. That no matter WHAT you did, how deep and horrible it may have been, how scarring it left someone, that though all of that sucks (big time), grace is sufficient enough to cover over all of that. Reminding yourself to start fresh and new, striving to think twice before you accidently or not so accidentally commit the same sins, will definitely have you be reminded of what is called of us- and that is, to strive for holiness.
I’m done rambling! Enjoy! Bye and have a blessed, God-glorifying week =)
PS- pray pray pray for nice weather! I’m sick of wearing my jacket! =( | | |
| There's distance in the air and I cannot make it leave
I wave my arms' round about me and blow with all my might
I cannot sense you close, though I know you're always here
But the comfort of you near is what i long for
When I can't feel you, I have learned to reach out just the same
When I can't hear you, I know you still hear everyword I pray
And i want you more than i want to live another day
And as I wait for you maybe I'm made more faithful
All the folly of the past, though I know it is undone
i still feel the guilty one, still trying to make it right
So i whisper soft your name, let it roll around my tounge,
knowing you're the only one who knows me
You know me
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| Pray for the families and friends who are mourning over the loss of the 6 USC students & Clemson student.
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:18 | | |
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