Are You Tired of Trying and Failing? There Has to be A Better Way to Handle Sin

Don’t you hate it when you fall into sin? There is this feeling of guilt that gnaws at you and pulls you down. You find it difficult to face others and to communicate.
John wrote: “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).
So it is clear that we are not to sin, but if we do fall into sin, we have Jesus as our advocate. So this gives us confidence to move on without guilt or fear, because our weaknesses are covered by Jesus.
But is our life to be full of trying and failing, trying and failing? We have all had our fill of trying to be good, but that just is not enough.
John goes on to say: “Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected” (1 John 2:4-5).
The key is not to try harder, but to grow in your love to God. The word “perfected” can be seen as a process rather than a one time event. As your love for God grows, our desire and leaning toward sin begins to shift. Our focus changes and gets permeated with God’s love.
So forget trying harder not to sin. Just grow in your love to God and let his love permeate your whole being.
Your Turn
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Alexi George is a pastor, teacher, and writer. He is devoted to helping people live their potential.
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