Q: Recently I sinned greatly and went against everything I know. I know I’m forgiven, but would God ever have enough of me and leave me? —Linda
A: It’s obvious that you’re aware of your unworthiness before God, and deeply distressed by the sin that is still deeply rooted in your nature. True believers in Jesus realize that they’re deeply contaminated with evil. Even our best efforts (“works”) are short-sighted and built upon mixed motives.
Jesus’ strongest words of criticism were reserved for Pharisees, who were unwilling to acknowledge their own sinfulness (Luke 11:39-46). One of the worst sins is self-righteousness (spiritual pride). In 1 John 1:8 we read, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
This passage indicates that we all face a lifelong struggle with indwelling sin. In Romans 7:15, Paul also told of the terrific struggle he faced as he found himself doing the things he didn’t want to do. Paul obviously didn’t experience the end of his struggle with his sin nature. To the contrary, the more he yielded himself to the Holy Spirit’s control, the more he was aware of his own unworthiness.
Paradoxically, the more that we’re sanctified by the Spirit’s power, the more we’ll be aware of our sinfulness and our dependency upon God’s grace rather than our own good works.
It was specifically because of our fallen nature that the Son of God died on our behalf. Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, died for sinners, destroyed the power of death in His resurrection, lives in heaven as our advocate, and is coming back as Savior for the church and King of the earth. Thus Jesus provided a testimony to the goodness and loving nature of God. As God, He experienced the suffering of His creation. As a human being and our representative, He was raised from the dead to give us hope. We need only repent, trust, and continue striving towards the goal (1 John 1:9). —Dan Vander Lugt
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connie318 on January 13, 2013 at 1:56 am
“If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is.” 2 Tim 2:13
There is nothing we could ever do to make God love us more, nothing we could ever do to make God love us less. He will never leave us, and we do good because we love Him back.
mike wittmer on January 14, 2013 at 9:51 am
Linda:
God was fully prepared for what you did, and he exhausted your sin in Jesus. All of us are responsible for Jesus’ death. And since there is nothing worse than that, we can know that God can and will forgive any and all sin that we ever commit, if only we repent. If you use every pang of regret as an excuse to run to Jesus, you’ll turn this guilt into a celebration of God’s love. Luther said that whenever Satan reminded him of his sin, he would simply agree and tell Satan that he forgot a few. And then he would thank the devil for reminding him about Jesus! And so he said he cut the devil’s head off with his own sword.
Clarence Wong on February 7, 2013 at 9:46 am
Question, I’ve come to have the thought that this very sexual sin that sticks to me hinders me, cripples me in my wanting to serve my Lord and also my prayer life.
Then there’s also the thought of how much I grieved my Lord when I turned my back on Him during my dark hours.
Its like a continuous mad struggle iny mind that even if in 10 times, 1 time I fail, that’s it, for the next 2-3 days I feel like crap till my Lord’s love calls me back.
How can I serve my Lord fully when I stumble every once awhile like this? Anyone here have reached the end road of this struggle?
tom felten on February 8, 2013 at 9:06 am
Thanks for sharing, Clarence. It’s important to realize that even the apostle Paul struggled with sin (Romans 7:15-17). But we can take comfort in these words from the apostle John: “If we confess our sins to [God], He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9). So, as far as reaching the end of our struggle with sin, that won’t happen until we’re with Jesus in the next life. But we can grow in holiness as we surrender to God’s ways daily and live out the power of the Holy Spirit within us. Praying for you today, that those things will be true for your life!
Terrence Simon on February 8, 2013 at 11:23 am
Someone can help me out since I’m aslo facing the similar problem like “Clarence Wong”.
For some days i’m quite good and doing the best and praying reguraly but at point of time get struck with dirty sins.
To be frank from my bottom of heart I don’t want to do that sin at all but I failed.
I’m loser and spoiled my own life
Will God forgive me !!!!
bgoodman on February 12, 2013 at 11:36 am
The quick answer is NEVER! Hebrews 13: 5;
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”[a]
Also Romans 8:38-39 and more and more. Scriptures tells us time and time again of God’s faithfulness. Whether your in addictive habitual behaviors or occasional sins that are your weakness, He cares deeply for you! Sure it distances You from Him but not Him from you! Praise God! He never gives up on you! And Clarence and Terrence, you need to know this! There is victory for you both, for you all, on the horizon! There was for me. Live by Luke 9: 23. It’s about denying ourselves and putting Christ first. He can stop the cycle and give victory but believe it, immerse and I mean absolutely immerse and trench yourselves with His word. Memorize key verses. And pray a lot! Little quick prayers, big prayers. Seek Him first and wholly devote each day and moment to that. I’m praying for ya! Now go be free and victorious!
bgoodman on February 12, 2013 at 11:36 am
The quick answer is NEVER! Hebrews 13: 5;
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”[a]
Also Romans 8:38-39 and more and more. Scriptures tells us time and time again of God’s faithfulness. Whether your in addictive habitual behaviors or occasional sins that are your weakness, He cares deeply for you! Sure it distances You from Him but not Him from you! Praise God! He never gives up on you! And Clarence and Terrence, you need to know this! There is victory for you both, for you all, on the horizon! There was for me. Live by Luke 9: 23. It’s about denying ourselves and putting Christ first. He can stop the cycle and give victory but believe it, immerse and I mean absolutely immerse and trench yourselves with His word. Memorize key verses. And pray a lot! Little quick prayers, big prayers. Seek Him first and wholly devote each day and moment to that. I’m praying for ya! Now go be free and victorious!
bgoodman on February 12, 2013 at 11:46 am
Oops. Sorry it posted twice. Maybe there’s a reason!
Oh and as the word through Paul tells us;
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Phil 4: 8
At the first smallest hint of temptation, pray and do as Paul instructs above.
jimgroberts on February 16, 2013 at 8:11 am
“I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins” [1John 2:1]
Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. [3 vs 4-6] We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin” [5 vs 18]
John is making us aware that if we continue in sin without repentance then the sinful thought becomes a deed – which becomes a habit – which becomes a character – which becomes a destiny. Thus believers become apostate and shipwrecked their faith for they have seared the voice of the Holy Spirit and can no longer be convicted of their sin. Sin is an affront to God – for the unbeliever they are ignorant and Jesus says “forgive them for they know not what they do” – for the believer, they have made a decision to turn away from God and His Holy Spirit and need to repent to receive forgiveness,
Let us keep our ears attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit and walk in the Spirit so that we will not satisfy the desires of the flesh.