Saturday, September 1, 2007

What do You struggle with? Pride, unjust anger, complacency? Maybe it's pornography or you struggle with overeating (gluttony). Whatever the struggle, it can be summed up in one complicated word. SIN! What is sin? How does it control our lives? And the ever looming question, How can it be eradicated from my life? Webster's dictionary calls sin for what it is: 1 : an offense esp. against God 2 : Fault 3 : a weakened state of human nature in which the self is estranged from God. To continue with this line of thought, we must know the definition of the word estranged. In the definition above, this word estranged is used as a verb (act or action). It's definition is as follows : to alienate the affections or confidence of. Now, let's look at the beginning part of the definition of the word sin; a weakened state of human nature. We have a nature that is bent towards sin! "...But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what makes a man 'unclean'... When we sin we are unclean, when we are unclean, we cannot stand in the presence of God Almighty! Sin is whatever separates us from God! Jesus said, the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart. Sin wants to take over the human heart. Sin is infectious and spreads like gangrene to the whole heart. When the heart is left empty and barren, void of the word of God, it can become a cesspool of the most vile thoughts and emotions; anxious and full of discouragement. Troublesome and tormented, broken and heavy. Anguished, full of fear and anger. Sin in it's completed form is death. This line of thought, left alone, is depressing and vexing. Praise be to the Father of the heavenly lights! Through His son, Jesus Christ, we are given a new and clean heart; and this only by the precious blood of the Lamb! How is sin eradicated from the human heart? IT'S THE CROSS! Through Jesus' death on the cross and His glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven, God the Father made a way where there was no way. Oh sinner, please realize that Jesus has a new heart waiting for you. A heart built to hold the precious word of God. A heart that can cry out for the living God! One that is thankful and meditates on the word of God that is hidden deep within. How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. (Psalms 119: 9-16) Oh precious heavenly Father, I acknowledge the sin that so easily entangles me. I confess my sin to You and ask You to give me a new heart, that I might hide Your word within it's strong walls! Holy Spirit, I invite you into my heart. Come and empower me to live a sanctified and holy life. Jesus, I declare you to be the Lord of my life. Live Your life through me, as I yield to Your will. As you see what I can't, guide and protect this new heart. In Jesus name. Amen.