Obtaining Victory Over Sin - NetBibleStudy.com

Victory Over Sin 89our guilt by maintaining isolation from God and His people. So we postpone ourappointment with the Almighty until we have proved we mean business and that wewill never fall again. Furthermore, we argue, guilt is good for us; it will teach us neverto do that again!God thinks otherwise. For one thing, even if we do reform, that is not His basisfor our acceptance anyway. To think we must straighten up before we come back toHim betrays our misunderstanding of the Cross. We are to come solely on the merit ofChrist’s blood, not on the merit of an acceptable track record.And is guilt good for us? True, it teaches us how uncomfortable the after effectsof sin can be, but it’s doubtful whether guilt is an acceptable motivation to change ourbehavior. Nowhere in the Bible do we read that God uses guilt to discipline Hischildren. Natural consequences of sin, “Yes,” because they teach us how reprehensiblesin can be. But guilt is not God’s means of discipline, because it is contrary to the Cross.God’s method of motivating us to live righteously is His love and grace. Hear whatPaul says, “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies aliving and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship“(Romans 12:1). Grace, freely given, does not provide us license to sin; rather it shouldmotivate us to give ourselves without reservation to the One who loves us so freely --and so deeply. Whenever we sin, God wants us to come back into fellowshipimmediately. Learn our lessons, but within His forgiveness, not outside of it.Have you ever heard someone say, “Keep short accounts with God?” It’s a way ofsaying, “Don’t let sin pile up in our lives!” Don’t think that we have to wait until thechurch doors open, or even until the end of the day, before sin is taken care of. Confessit the moment it is brought to our attention. We should deal with our sins immediately-- keeping current accounts with God. While we are driving our car, working in theoffice, or doing chores at home, we can be engaging in dialogue with God. As we speakto Him, He replies through His Word.Listen to the hope of the Scriptures for all who sin:Jeremiah 8:4, “Thus says th4e Lord, `Do men fall and not get upagain? Does one turn away and not repent?’”Psalms 145:14, “The Lord sustains all who fall, and raises up allwho are owed down.”Micah 7:8, “Though I fall, I will rise; though I dwell in darkness,the Lord is a light for me.”Proverbs 24:16, “For a righteous man falls seven times, and risesagain.”Psalm 37:23-24, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord;And He delights in his way. When he falls, he shall not be hurledheadlong; Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.”