Devotional Question/Discussion point of the Day…. Do we…. do I take sin seriously?

It seems to be a trend in my life, and even more visible in society, that we take sin less seriously.  Thankfully, it is beginning to bother me again, and maybe I haven’t been as lulled to sleep, or maybe I am beginning to wake up some.

There is a way in which we shouldn’t take sin seriously, because of the cross – it has already been dealt with – the sin, the shame, the little nagging feeling that “this is wrong”.  Sin, no matter whether it is on the scope of someone being sentenced to serve their life in jail, or a junior high prank/theft, we shouldn’t take it so seriously that we can’t bring it to God, confess our sins and know, absolutely and without doubt that we are forgiven.   That God would heal us, not only of the specific sin, but indeed the disease.

It is exactly because we aren’t healed in our eyes until we get to heaven, that we need to hear of that forgiveness often.  Otherwise we lose heart, we think that it’s no big deal – and we begin to take being restored from that sin less than seriously.

And that is where we need to take it seriously – realizing that it cannot separate us from God, yet also realizing we need to deal with it, so it doesn’t.  For the believer, this is a matter of realizing God is responsible for cleaning it up, has promised He would, and not letting our pride get in the way of it.   Not easy!  And I believe, that the more we do confess our sins, the more we ask God to comfort us and assure us of the forgiveness of them, the more we realize how wonderful He is….

And sin begins to break our hearts as it does His, the idea of people living in bondage to sin breaks our Hearts as it does His…. and we desires that they be freed, we desire that we are freed…. and healed.

Sin has little power, only the power we give it, only the mastery of us that we allow.  We do need to take it seriously enough to take the cure of it seriously enough to realize that the forgiveness and healing is something wonderful something incredible, something so important that we adore the One who cares for us…

And realizing that… Paul’s words from Romans 6 come to mind…

 ^6:1 What should we say then? Should we remain in sin so that grace may be given the more fully? ² Out of the question! We have died to sin; how could we go on living in it?
Romans 6:1-2 (NJB)

This day, Lord Jesus, help us to realize the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, cleansing our lives, setting them apart to serve You, guiding us and strengthening us.  Help us be so aware of your presence and work in our lives, that we adoringly join You in that work in others.  AMEN.