HAVE YOU SINNED?

Devotion by Steve Long

Have you sinned?

Just because you faltered, doesn't mean you're finished.

Have you sinned? I don’t know what you’ve done, but God does, and he still loves you. Did you drink alcohol after staying free of it for weeks – maybe even years? Did you fall back into drugs, smoking, gambling, or pornography? Have you gotten out of church and quit praying? Has it been a while since you read the Bible, God’s word? Have you failed your spouse? Is your language reverting back to profanity? You must be truly ashamed.

I can't blame you for being upset, but let me share what the apostle Paul said; "I know that in me, (that is in my flesh) nothing good dwells" (Romans 7.18). Never be surprised how wicked our human nature can be. But it is still disappointing.

One misstep should not define who we are. Whenever a quarterback gets sacked or throws an interception, it is often the next play that really makes the difference. He can stay down and pout, or get up and dust himself off, more determined than ever to get the job done.

Even if a boxer goes down for a nine count, he might be able to come back in the next round to land a punch to win the match. It is not a single failing that determines who you are, it is your trust in God and his Son, which allows you to come back.

It is your direction that makes the difference. That direction was set heavenward when you trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Even in the kid's game Mother may I, one may move two steps forward and then one step back. Sometimes it may be “One giant step back,” but the game’s not over. "A righteous man may fall seven times and rise up again" (Proverbs 24.16). God won’t give up on you, either. He has already invested too much into your life, that is, the blood of His Son and the earnest of His Spirit.

David is not just remembered for when he committed adultery and put the woman’s husband on the front lines of battle to die. As terrible as David's sin was, we remember him as a man after God's own heart.

Noah drank wine unto drunkenness but we remember him as a man of faith who obeyed God and accomplished great things.

Moses let his temper get the best of him. It kept him from entering God’s promised land, but it didn’t keep him from successfully serving God the rest of his life.

Three times Peter denied that he knew Jesus, even swearing an oath; however, Jesus didn’t chalk him off. Soon after, Peter preached when 3,000 people accepted Christ as Savior.

Although Abraham was guilty of telling half-truths at times in order to save his hide, we know him as the "Father of Faith."

All of these faltered, but they weren't finished.

We use none of these things as an excuse to sin, but as a celebration of God's glorious grace. The more you celebrate his grace, the greater change he brings about in your life. Don't let the devil defeat you. Stay the course! Jesus loves you and is on your side and “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8.31). Sure, you bobbled the ball! Sure, you’ve failed! Sure, you’ve sinned, but “where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Romans 8.31).

It would be nice to have gone all year without sinning but you didn’t. Hey, you can start again right now! You can be a victorious Christian with God's help, today, then for a full year, and then another, and another! Sadly, you are going to sin from time to time (1 John 1.8). God says you can confess your sins and be washed (1 John 1.9). Admit it and accept his forgiveness. You have Jesus Christ, the righteous one to defend you if you’ve sinned (1 John 2.1). If you believe in Jesus, he has justified you (Romans 3.24). In simplified terminology, that means "just-as-if-I'd never sinned." Since he sees you this way, go ahead and look at yourself this way as well – “just as if I'd never sinned”. If you’re saved, God doesn’t see you as a failure, he sees you as forgiven. When you look in the mirror, see yourself as God sees you. Then “go, and sin no more” John 8.11.

I’m sorry you have failed but at one time maybe you wouldn't even have cared. Now, just the fact that you do care is an indication that God is not through with you.

Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5.16). May God bless you as you seek his strength to live in purity for His glory!

Visit Steve Long's Blog
Reflecting the Light