Are you 100% satisfied with life as it is right now? If your answer is ‘no’ then you are aware of areas that need improvement. Where do sinful tendencies rank on that list? Christians (myself included) love to use the phrase “I can’t help it”, or “it’s in my nature” as an excuse to sin. Unfortunately, that usually means that we’ve accepted that there is zero possibility for change. But let me ask you another question: have you always dreamed of being mediocre? For a Christian to be ‘unbothered’ about sin and it’s effects in their life, is to embrace mediocrity. Jesus lived a sinless life so that you wouldn’t have to use that excuse. Ever.
I almost called this blog ‘Effortful Living’ or ‘But You Would Not’ (blog names are definitely not my forte eh!). Anyway the point of those names, and the current name, was to capture the theme of victory over sin. Whilst it is true that we have sinful flesh, that shouldn’t automatically equate to sinful actions. It’s effortful to override your ‘default setting’, but it’s definitely possible. Don’t be as stubborn as the children of Israel:
“For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you would not” (Isaiah 30:15)
In this chapter they are looking elsewhere (Egypt) for the things that God has, and is, offering. The word ‘saved’ (yasha) can also be translated as ‘free.’ I found this interesting because in essence they are rejecting the safety of God-given protection from the threat of Assyria. In other words, they could be free from the worry of having to deal with their foes, but they’d rather go through the hassle of trying to handle the situation by themselves. Similarly, you and I, by refusing to return to, and rest in, God, are rejecting His offer of freedom [from sin].
Your sinful nature isn’t something you can handle alone.
This section of the blog, will look at some of the aspects of Christian conduct that we should be striving for, using both positive and negative (real life and biblical) examples. The Bible is either black and white, or has relevant principles for all areas of Christian conduct. Your life is too short and too precious for you to wilfully embody the carelessness of James 1:23-25.
“Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.” (MSG)
At this point in your spiritual journey you’ve probably done a lot of hearing… it’s time to start doing!
So…
It’s not ok to be fine with sinful actions when you serve a God who is ABLE and WILLING to help you change. The process will by no means be easy, but refusing to try is to be content with failure. You really can help it… I know you can ????
It’s time to live your BEST life! Not a sinful, mediocre life.
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