“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” Romans 7:15-20 NIV
How do you define sin? It means something different to most people. There’s a tendency to see others’ shortcomings as compared to one’s own. Dangerously, a perception exists that sin is relative–what’s a sin for one person isn’t for another.
The dictionary defines sin as “an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law”. I think of it as being any thought, word or deed contrary to God’s desire for my life, It’s my failure to be pleasing to Him.
You’d think Christians would be on the same page in determining what is a sin and what isn’t. It just doesn’t happen. We can’t even agree on theology, as evidenced by the vast number of church brands that exist.
We’re like the apostle Paul in today’s Bible verses above. We don’t want to sin, but we do. It’s a guaranteed part of human nature. When you become a believer in accepting Jesus as Christ and Lord of your life, the Holy Spirit convicts you. When you sin, you know it–without any question or doubt.
The really good news is that we have a “get out of jail free” card. No matter how many times we fail, God is willing to forgive us if we confess.
Are you convicted of sin in your life? Confess it today.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins that He makes possible if we only believe. Amen