Questions about Sin… Asking for a Friend

So I know this girl, and she was wondering, “When I ask you how to overcome your sin, what do you think about?”

And I had to answer…  “My sin.”

So she went on to investigate:

So you go to work on your sin.  You pray about it. You read about it.  You listen to testimonies about it.  You research it, take notes, download sermons, and work your butt off to overcome this thing… the you think about constantly.

Brothers and sisters, if we are to be thinking about whatever is pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy (Phil 4:8)… why am I being instructed on renewing my mind by focusing on my sin?

Why are we dimming the lights and playing sad hymns so we can take a moment to ponder…. Sin?

If Jesus died, once and for all, and does not remember my sin… why do we keep bringing it up?  (Hebrews 8:12)

[Tweet “If #Jesus died once and for all, why do we keep brining it up? “]

Furthermore, if I am to stop conforming to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of my mind… why does the world – especially the Christian masses keep bringing up sin?  Why are we not simply focused on the Cross?  (Romans 12:2)

If the Spirit of God does not make me timid, but gives me power, love, and self-discipline (2 Tim 1:7) why am I not boldly speaking of the freedom I have in Jesus Christ?  Instead of listening to sermons and podcasts about conquering that which Jesus died for so that I might walk upright as the righteous child of a Father whose spirit dwells in me?

Making me BOLD.

Making me LOVING.

Making me a CONQUERER.

If my sin is so great, and I am so simple and weak why am I encouraged to focus on it Sunday after Sunday and Wednesday after Wednesday when instead I should be guarding my heart from these things? (Proverbs 4:23)  If those who trust in themselves are fools (Proverbs 28:26) how can I, a fool, be expected to overcome my sin?  And if I truly believe, shouldn’t I fully receive (Matthew 21:22.) So if instead of continually asking to be healed of my sin, shouldn’t I be proclaiming the purchased victory over it and walk in the freedom that was bought and paid for with the blood of Jesus?

And if what goes into me doesn’t make me impure what comes out of me does… why in the world am I talking about my sin? (Matthew 15:11)

[Tweet “Is the greater act of #salvation work or belief in He who died for me? “]

And if I can demolish every argument that sets itself up against the knowledge of God – why is there any pretension that cannot be answered with the statement: The cross.  (2 Corinthians 10:5). Furthermore, if the Cross is not the answer, why the cross?  Why a brutal bloody death if anything I might be able to accomplish by human means, would suffice?

As the lights dim, and the music plays and I am called to remember my folly and my ill attempts at perfection, why do my eyes fall upon the holy word of God, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…”  Why?  Why this extravagant parade for the things of this world and the shortcomings of these people if our own understanding cannot fathom what He can? (Proverbs 3:5)

Greater still, if I am to set my mind on things above, not earthly things, because Christ died so that my life is now hidden with Christ in God, then I appear to Him as Christ. Dead in me is the earthly nature, so shouldn’t I simply proclaim this victory? (Colossians 3:3-4)

If I believe? (Acts 16:31)

If I simply believe that the Cross was the sacrifice that unified me with Christ and therefore I am seen by the Father as perfected… why am I still focusing so steadily on sin? (Hebrews 10:14)

Sin which has been cast as far as the east is from the west.  (Psalm 103:12)

Sin which, apart from the law is dead and law which was fulfilled by Jesus?  (Romans 2:12)

If, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us, why all the pomp and circumstance for that which should be counted – conquered?  (Romans 8:37)

[Tweet “The #blood worked, #grace is the consequence, #eternity the #prize”]

I think there are simple answers to most of the questions posed.

The Blood worked.

Grace is the consequence.

Eternity is the prize…

But, I am certainly no bible scholar.  Just know someone who had a few questions…  she was kind of wondering why all the fuss over something He so fully took care of that day on Calvary – once and for all. (Colossians 2:13)

May your floors be sticky and your calling ordained. Love, Jami

For the word of the Cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

You might also like: What if we REALLY Believed…

And be sure and check out my sister and I on our new GRACE PODCAST!!!  

Check out my friend Kelly Balarie’s book FEAR FIGHTING as seen on the Today Show with Hoda and Kathie Lee!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credits for Today’s post can be found by clicking on the image below!