So, You Think You Struggle TOO MUCH Against Sin? (Post #43)

“I’m trying hard, but I keep falling and after a while, I’m going to start feeling like my worship is worthless.”

Loosely based on a true story.
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So, I was talking to a real good friend of mine, and he was sharing with me some of his struggles with sin.  As he shared, I remembered being proud of him for his willingness to admit his error. I was honored that he entrusted me with his failings and I was in awe of his maturity and willingness of transparency.  

As he shared, he wasn’t by any means vague in his confession.  In fact, he was very detailed in his admission.  He told me that if he was ever going to see real change in his life, he’d have to bear his soul to someone. 

And to that, he was correct. 

The Bible says in James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”(ESV) 

I can’t lie, while this passage is very true, it is also very challenging.  Nonetheless, he forged forward like a champion.  After he shared his struggles, he desired for us to pray together.  However, before we prayed, he wanted to talk to me about some protective measures that he desired to put into place, things that he prayed would further ensure that he wouldn’t fall back into his former shortcomings. 

​I listened attentively and even supported many of his suggestions; however, as the conversation went on further, there was one statement within his discourse that I had to address.  Paraphrasing, he said something like this…

“I’m trying hard, but I keep falling and after a while, I’m going to start feeling like my worship is worthless.”

​To that, I had to jump in.  Now, to add context, you’d have to know 2 things about the heart of my friend.  Fact #1:  he’s trying.  He’s not giving up, he’s not giving in.  He’s legitimately doing his best to overcome his barriers. 

Fact #2: he’s not one to hide his issues, at least not with me.  When he’s a mess, he’s one of those rare souls who are blessed with an undeniable courage to just admit it (a rare gift if you ask me). Therefore, when he disclosed his belief of the fraudulence of his worship to God, as a result of his struggle with sin, I believed him to be sincere.  I took him at face value when he noted that he loved the Lord, he served Him with great heart; however, he did indeed struggle with sin, and it is this struggle that has left him feeling like he’s less than a worshipper. 

​It is in light of knowing this about him; knowing that if he said it, knowing that he believes it.  It is in this light, that I had to interject.  

“Do you know what that means?”, I asked.  “Essentially, you’re beginning to believe that God was only willing to honor your devotion, if you would successfully defeat your sin struggle and “get-it-together.”  

He was starting to resolve that God was somehow “fed-up” with him and if he didn’t perfect, God would be done with him.

Sure, he wasn’t saying this directly; however, his final statement certainly implied it. 

Paul asked some powerful and rhetorical questions to the believers in his Roman epistle in chapter 8.  There it reads, “(33) Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies. (34) Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. (35) Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”(HCSB) 

These questions aren’t just spiritually encouraging, they are also ought to be perspective and life changing.  Fact:  it is not possible for us to ever be 100% free of sin.  Paul said, “we all sin…” (cf. Romans 3:23) and John added that “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us” (cf. 1 John 1:8).

So, if all of God’s people struggle with sin, and if God declares nothing will terminate His love for us, then how would we ever lose HIs love?  

Better question: (for those who are still ready to beat themselves up) so, how are we supposed to honestly deal with our failings?

The answer is simple:  admit it, quit it, forget it, and be thankful that God will acquit it. 

You should know that when you give your best effort to God, He in turns provides you with amazing grace.  The Bible says in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (KJV)  

In our lives we will fall short; however, no one should ever believe that guilt is the answer to our shortcomings.  The Lord’s grace is in abundance for those who serve Him.  Grace should never be used as a license to sin (cf. Romans 6:1-2) and that’s certainly not what he was doing.  Grace aids us in this race.

Run, fall, get up, repeat. 

So, what did you think?  What did I miss?  Let me know in the comments below.  Subscribe on the home page, share this post, and thanks for your support. 
 
Imperfectly,
 
Kevin D. Jones, Sr.
(@kevindjonessr)
(@imperfection360)