Sept 25, 2020 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

What Went Wrong

(The 3W’s Series #5)

Managing Your Sin?

Are you managing your sin? I am sure you are and possibly have a habit of doing so. Everyone has does this—a Christian or a non-believer—no matter who you are. It becomes a science to many people; they look to see how they can sin without suffering too many consequences for their sin. We think we can ‘out-smart’ God or at least the people around us.

Nothing is farther from the truth. This behavior (and way of thinking) is so destructive that we have jails full of people with this behavior and even churches where Christians are hypocritical and deceptive to their church congregations.

Sin cannot be managed it can only be forgiven (forgiveness is a way of life and all Christians need to stay in a constant state of repentance and brokenness). Sin is what is destroying everything good and right. It makes no difference if our sin is great or small. The consequences of our sin is always the same—it leads to death and separation from each other and God.

Here are some behaviors of ‘managing our sin’:

· Watching online pornography but only superficially.

· Lying but only to protect one’s image or lifestyle.

· Taking drugs but only at times when I am not dangerous to others.

· Choosing what I believe about God, not wanting to be thought of as ‘too radical’.

· Not forgiving a family member or past friend—because I do not see that person anymore.

· Making excuses for oneself when it comes to repentance and changing what one does.

· Not acknowledging what you do when no one is looking and/or making sure what you do does not really hurt others. You love your sin; saying ‘it is my sin only’.

The list can go on and on. If we would take an inventory of our wrongs (and past wrongs) we would see that we rather ‘manage our sin’ and ‘the love for our sin’, thereby not looking to God for forgiveness nor wanting a change in our behavior.

We will never find true forgiveness if we try to keep our current or past sins by not taking them to God by asking God what He thinks and asking for His forgiveness and mercy.

Sin cannot be managed, only forgiven. Forgiveness is a process and a daily brokenness—a constant change of behavior. It is only through finding forgiveness are we able to ‘hunger and thirst after righteousness’. Only through forgiveness, we are able to reject the pleasure of sin that binds our lives and end sin’s control over our lives. The process is always the same no matter the sin—from forgiveness to righteousness to God’s judgment over everything that binds, controls, and hinders our walk with Christ.

I believe ‘managing our sin’ is the #1 enemy to the Body of Christ!

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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