We all have that one sin that we can't seem to shake. That besetting sin that we try to resist in the ongoing battle between the flesh and the spirit (Galatians 5:16-25). Speaking for myself, I struggle with that one sin. It hinders my walk with Christ Jesus, it is the thing that causes me to stumble over and over again (Proverbs 26:11).
I feel so unworthy that I stop talking to God, I don't ask for forgiveness for a while because it just kind of feels like I don't deserve it, which I really don't. But, God's Holy Spirit gently reminds me that I am forgiven already. I have been covered in the blood of the Lamb of God, He has saved me (Romans 8:1).
I am still learning how to be a follower of Christ Jesus. I must learn to let go of that sin (Hebrews 12:1) and keep my eyes, mind and focus on Christ. I read Psalm 51 recently. A Psalm of King David after he had Uriah the Hittite killed and was confronted by Nathan the prophet (2 Samuel 12:1-15). Psalm 51:1-12 has become my prayer. I read that and then prayed it. I have been washed clean by the blood of the Lamb, God has removed my sin from me as far as east is from the west (Psalms 103:11-12). We, as followers and students of Christ Jesus and in order to bear the fruits of the spirit, need to make a conscious effort to resist the flesh (2 Peter 1:3-9) because Jesus and the Holy Spirit have given us the tools and the power to live in the spirit (Romans 8:1-11).
Christ Jesus, our High Priest, who intercedes for us is all we have and all we need (Psalm 73:25-26) in Heaven. But here on Earth, He, in His genius and great wisdom, institued the church, where we gather to strengthen one another, encourage one another and bear one another's burdens (Proverbs 27:17; Hebrews 10:23-25; Galatians 6:2).
One of my favorite verses in scripture is from the book of Jude. It is Jude's closing thought in his letter. Jude 1:24. I like to remind myself of it every time I am feeling so unworthy. God is strong and is able to keep you from falling and can bring you into the presence of His Glory with no wrong in you, and give you great joy. As undeserving and unworthy as we all are (Romans 3:21-25) it is in Christ we stand.
God is AWESOME!
