When We Do the Very Thing We Hate
We can never sin so much that God would withhold His forgiveness from us.
God hates our sin, but He loves us. I love both parts of this sentence.
I’m thankful that God loves me. AND I’m thankful that He hates my sin. I love that He is holy. I need Him to be holy.
I’m glad God calls me to holiness.
But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. (1 Peter 1:15 ESV)
When God shows me my sin, I don’t feel like a failure. Instead, I hear Him say, “My mercy and power are here for you.”
One of my favorite Bible verses, Hebrews 4:16 (ESV), explains this perfectly:
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Once we acknowledge our sin, God forgives us. As we yield our will to His, He helps us make choices that honor Him and His Word.
I hear you. You’ve blown it “more than anyone else.” I can practically hear your tears of frustration and shame, which are likely similar to my own. Yet, I stand by my opening statement: we can never sin so much that God would withhold His forgiveness from us.
You are not the worst sinner ever. You are not beyond God’s grace and mercy. We all struggle with entangling sin that we feel we’ll never obtain victory over. Paul himself said,
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. (Romans 7:15 ESV)
And then, nine verses later, said,
Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (vv. 24–25)
Truth be told, I find great comfort in knowing, as verse 14 tells us, that I’m not the only one who struggles with doing “the very thing I hate.” I find tremendous relief (and joy!) in the next verses I quoted, that Jesus Christ delivers us from the control of sin!
Mike Clark, a Facebook friend, commented on one of my posts, “I often wondered about the Judgment Seat of Christ and what it will be like with having to see all my sins rolling before me. Recently, I understood how much more that experience will help me to love my Savior, Jesus Christ, for paying the price for ALL those sins!”
Thanks be to God!
What about you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Your comment might also benefit others.)
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When God shows me my sin, I don’t feel like a failure. Instead, I hear Him say, “My mercy and power are here for you.”
It’s truly wonderful that the Lord paid the price for our sins.
We as born again Christians, are so blessed and know that without a shadow of a doubt, that we have a greater life waiting for us.
Indeed! We have so much to look forward to!!
AND… that includes not only our life in heaven with our Savior, but also a better life here on earth!
Thank you, Sandra. I enjoy each time you stop by Today Can Be Different.
Thanks be to God!
God’s forgiveness is complete amd everlasting! Reading this beautiful message reminds me that He forgave my sins but also He empowers me to yield completely to The Holy Spirit and live a victorious life in Jesus while awaiting His final completion and life in perfection with all our brothers and sisters in the very presence of God! We serve The Mighty God!
Hello Bro. Mike. We indeed serve “The Mighty God!” I especially like your use of the word “The.”
Amen!
Also, thank you, Bro. Mike, for letting me quote you at the end of my devotion. When I read it on Facebook, I couldn’t wait to use it.
And … WELCOME to Today Can Be Different. We hope to see you again.
I’m so glad the Lord loves us so much to be merciful to forgive our sins and helps us to keep us from continuing in sin by convicting us of the very sins He hates! Be Holy as I am Holy! “Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14. “For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love” Ephesians 1:4. We were chosen before the foundation of the world in Christ! “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12. We are a new creation in Christ! Be imitators of Christ with kindness and compassion. Thanks Sheryl! ️
Hi, Kim. I love your summary: “We are a new creation in Christ! Be imitators of Christ with kindness and compassion.”
Well said!
Hi, Sheryl. With tongue in cheek I say that our Lord is calling us into “segregation” as found in Leviticus 20:26
“You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.”
Hello, Carlos! It’s always nice to see you on Today Can Be Different.
Great comment.
God truly does call us to separate ourselves from what’s unholy — and I’ve found I’m much happier when I don’t entertain myself with things that don’t honor Him. Even though I admit, it isn’t always easy.
Thank you for dropping by! I’ve wondered how you were doing.