Quit Sinning!

“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” 1 John 3:4-6 (NIV)

A man experiencing severe headaches went to the doctor to see if he could find some relief from his pain.  As he began the interview, the doctor asked, “When does your head hurt?”  The man replied, “Every time I hit my head with this hammer,  it hurts!”

Well, duh!  Of course it does!  That’s the nature of things, the law of nature, if you will: hit your head with a hammer and it hurts.  In this case, the cure for your headache is fairly straightforward—stop hitting yourself with a hammer!

The same thing is true with the lawlessness of sin.  I see it…and experience it…every day.  People are hurting because of sin.  We struggle with issues of character and are emotionally empty because our lives are filled with selfish pursuits.  Our marriages are filled with conflict because we insist upon having “my” needs met.  We can’t get along with others because we are full of ourselves and “my” opinion.  Not a day goes by without me listening to a story of personal brokenness or relational difficulties brought on because people act in ways contrary to God’s truth and they keep doing it over and over again.  Sometimes, I want to stop the conversation and say:  “Quit sinning!”  Unfortunately, people are addicted to their sin and just keep on sinning.

John tells us that sin is “rebellious wickedness” against the very nature of God.  It’s not so much “breaking the law” as it is “breaking God’s heart.”  Our sin is a rebellious rejection of God and his role as our Heavenly Father.  Sin is not just a slip or a mistake.  It is a violation of our love relationship with God.

What’s more, Jesus came to not only forgive us our sins but also to take away our sins.  Yes, when God forgives us he takes away the sins that we have committed.  In addition, he takes away the motivation to sin in the present by putting his life in ours.  As we deepen our connection w/ God through Jesus Christ, he purifies our lives by rooting out our sin addiction.

So, is your life broken?  Are you hurting?  Is it the result of sin?  Then, quit sinning!  Acknowledge that your rebellious attitude toward God is getting in the way of your connection w/ God.  Confess it and commit yourself to “purifying” yourself in partnership with God’s Holy Spirit.  Make yourself available to him through the practices of solitude, silence, scripture, meditation, prayer, biblical community, etc. and let the righteous life of Christ come alive in you.  Get in the habit of doing what God says, living the Christ-life.  Experience the truth of living in Christ and Christ living in you.

When you submit yourself to habitually following Jesus, you’ll avoid a lot of hurt, pain, and brokenness.  You’ll begin to experience the abundance, fullness, and joy.

Learning the habit of obedience…

Scott Corwin, Pastor

P.S.  How’s your “homework” assignment coming?  Have you posted your insights on the blog?

3 Comments to Quit Sinning!

1. 

   In reading thru I John several this week on my long BVG commutes to work, a few verses which encouraged me were: “Do not be surprised (brothers/sisters) if the world hates you” (I Jn. 3:13). This really helped me to deal with difficult & antagonistic colleagues this past week.

   Also very comforting in light of realizing my habitual & discouraging sinfulness was I John 19-20: “This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts AT REST in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is GREATER than our hearts, and he knows everything.” Praise be to His grace & “hesed” ! Thank you Scott for prodding us to take a spiritual inventory…. not easy, but once we force ourselves to do it, so liberating…!
Karen on July 17th, 2010
2. 

   You know what when i was young i had to learn a song that went with the 1 John book….i should teach you one day…it’s catchy and pretty cool for kids.
kenya on August 11th, 2010
3. 

   Cool! Let’s hear it, learn it, and sing it!
Scott on August 14th, 2010

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