sin

A Clean Mug

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

1 Timothy 1:15

We love our mugs of tea and coffee. Most of our mugs are white (or close to white) on the inside and every now and then we notice that there is a build up of stain. It isn’t a health issue and doesn’t noticeably change the flavour of the tea or coffee. It isn’t removed completely by regular washing processes. It takes something more to clean them thoroughly.

Fortunately I married well and my wife knows how to clean anything and do it to perfection. Stubborn stains cringe and wilt when they see her coming. They almost leap out of the mug at the sight of her approach with the appropriate equipment. I dare not inquire as to what is the appropriate equipment.

The next time I select a mug it is as white as it ever can be and I am glad I have someone to clean my mug of the stubborn stains.

I am also glad that I have Someone who is able to see and cleanse me of the stubborn stains of sin in the “cup” of my life.

John writes: “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship One with the other, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.” And “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:5, 1 John 1:9

In some places where I have worked I have seen stains in mugs build up over several years to extreme levels and some people will still use them but not me. Perhaps they have become used to the stain. Sadly, we can also become used to the stains of sin in our lives and not realise that we are unfit for the Master’s presence or use.

Because of what Jesus Christ has done for us we are privileged to ask Him to scrutinise our lives for the stains of sin. He is well qualified to see the stains for He is without sin. He is also qualified to remove the stains of sin and He does let us know the agent of cleansing: it is His own blood shed on Calvary’s cross.

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

1 John 1:7

Putty in His Hands

“The humble He guides in justice and the humble He teaches His way” Psalm 25:9

Even people who have not trusted Jesus Christ for salvation will sometimes affirm that God’s love is unconditional. It is unconditional because it is one of two aspects of the Divine Nature. The other aspect is God’s righteousness. Together, God’s love and righteousness are the core of His holiness. While God’s love is unconditional there are conditions that apply if we are to receive the benefits of that love.

There are no formulas that can be utilised to gain God’s favour. His favour comes solely by way of a relationship with the Father through the Son. Formulas to gain God’s favour are devised by people who do not have a relationship with God. These are usually based on superstition even if they do use Biblical or Christian terminology.

When we read passages such as Psalm 25 we see conditions to leading a godly life not a formula to enact in the manner of superstition to gain our desire or God’s favour.

The first condition to godly living is stated in verse 8, “He teaches sinners in the way.” If we do not agree that we are sinners then we make ourselves unteachable. Paul writes that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The good news in this is that Jesus said that He came to save sinners (John 3:17) and call sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:13). Paul affirms this when he wrote that “God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

Only a person truly humble in heart will wholeheartedly accept God’s assessment of him. This opens the door for God’s unconditional love to become personally effective for salvation and living a godly life.

As we agree with God concerning our sin we become teachable and will ask, “Show me Your ways O Lord, teach me Your paths” (v 4). As we become aware of God’s ways we will have a change of heart attitude toward the Lord (repentance) and allow Him to further “lead me in Your truth and teach me  … On You I wait [in faith] all the day.”

The only basis for such a plea and expectation is the love of God demonstrated and made effective on Calvary’s cross by Jesus Christ. The psalmist’s plea is based on God’s mercy and forgiveness available only through Jesus Christ (vv 6, 7, 16, 18). We will only plea on this basis when we accept that we have nothing to offer with regard to our own righteousness. Paul describes his own mind in regard to this in Philippians 3:7-11.

The peace that comes with forgiveness of sin is known by the one who lives in daily humility in communion with the Lord. The person who is humble and teachable before the Lord meets the conditions necessary to be led by the Lord. The truly humble spirit is also teachable and says to the Lord, “Show me … teach me … lead me” (vv 4, 5). Such a person is soft clay in the Potter’s hand and He will joyfully respond to this request.

Kept From Sinning

“For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.” (Genesis 20:6)

Every now and then there is something in God’s word that speaks to our heart in a fresh way and we wonder why we had not seen it before. Surely the verse above is one of those that the Holy Spirit can address to our memory and heart so that we have a much greater comprehension of God’s love and merciful kindness.

How often has the Lord withheld us from sinning? We may never know but if we are careful and honest in our reflections there may be many such occasions for which we can offer our gratitude, praise and worship. How often were we bent on an ungodly and sinful act or course in life yet the Lord kept us from it? Whether witting or unwitting, it makes no difference. The mercy of the Lord kept us from a destructive course or act that may have led to a most undesirable destiny.

The occasion for God making this statement was not to a man of faith but a pagan ruler, namely, Abimelech, at a time when Abraham doubted God’s ability to protect him. That this statement was made to a person who had not exercised faith in God is an encouragement as well as an eye opener into our past. When we, who trusted Jesus later in life, examine and reflect on our lives before we received Jesus as Saviour and Lord we will discover many times when the Lord protected us from the sinfulness of our own heart. This will lift our hearts in thankfulness, praise and worship directed toward our wonderful Saviour.

Our children and young people will face temptations just as we did yet as we pray for them we have this glorious expectation that as we pray for them day by day the Lord will respond by protecting them from the temptations that come their way. The fallen nature in all of us will always want to yield to the temptation but thank God He has provided a protection not only to the believer but to those for whom we pray. This truth will encourage us to pray more faithfully and with greater faith than we otherwise might have had we not known it.

There are many occasions in the Bible where people did not do the godly thing but we are privileged to learn from them without having to repeat them. In raising children we have but one opportunity. As grand-parents we have an opportunity with another generation so let us pray believing the testimony of the Bible and see what God will do. I am very sure that it was the faithful praying of my parents (and possibly others) that moved God to intervene in my life and keep me from sinning against Him even though my heart was set on sinning.

In most cases where I have been able to inquire, people that I have been involved with when they came to faith in Jesus Christ have had someone praying for them. In some cases that person had been praying for many years.

Pray for your children, pray for your grandchildren, pray for other children in your extended family and in your church family. Even pray for the children in your street. Pray that the Lord would keep them from sin and draw them to Himself.

The Great Exchange

“And he [Abram] believed in the Lord, and He [God] accounted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6)

The saying goes, “If it seems too good to be true then it probably is.” That Abram had his sin exchanged for righteousness, and that we may have the same, seems too good to be true yet in the grace and power of God we see that it is indeed true – but at a price.

In chapter three we read that Adam chose to believe Satan’s lie and in believing the lie he called God a liar. Even in our fallen world calling someone a liar is not going to enhance the relationship. Adam’s intimacy with God died at that moment and as outward evidence he began dying bodily. Essentially, at its root, sin is calling God a liar and believing something that is untrue as if true. This denies the holy nature of God and is a lie.

In His Word God has revealed that if the relationship with God is going to be restored two things must take place. Firstly, a person must choose to believe God’s revelation and reject the lie. This is the opposite of what Adam did in the Garden.

Secondly, the sin nature produced in Adam, and born in each and all of us, must die, for that is God’s righteous judgment on sin (Genesis 2:17). God shed the blood of at least one animal so as to clothe Adam and Eve in its skin (Genesis 3:21). The death of this animal could not replace Adam’s death because it was an animal and not a man but it was a picture of the One to come who would be both man and God who would be able to bear God’s righteous wrath on sin in the place of man.

Abram had already given evidence of believing God when he left his home and trusted the Lord to lead him to a new home and give him a family (Genesis 12:1-3). God had affirmed the land aspect to Abram (Genesis 12:7; 13:14) and now affirms that he would have a multitude of descendants (Genesis 15:5).

Though it all sounded too good to be true Abram chose to continue believing what God had said. God went on to “sign” the covenant in such a way as to show that its fulfilment was solely God’s responsibility. But it would require the death of Abram’s Seed. Not Isaac but Jesus would die for the sin of the World. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Jesus is the Lamb pictured in the Garden of Eden when the animal(s) was slain to provide a covering for Adam and Eve. They only provided a temporary covering but Jesus took sin away.

When we do not believe God we call Him a liar. When we chose to turn from not believing Him and do believe Him He will credit us with His righteousness. He is justified in doing so because Jesus died for our sins and rose again giving all who believe new life.

This may sound too good to be true on our part but it came with an immeasurable price to God.

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides [remains] on him” (John 3:36).