Who's on what side?

Peter Rasmussen mentioned on Sunday evening that some of us, despite having been saved, have had our minds battered by sin. He spoke about the rafters of our house that could be infested by the white ants of habitual sin. Even though I could be born again, there remains this hidden sin that is ever ready to suddenly make the roof cave in on my head.

This suddenly jolted my mind into realizing afresh, what we so easily forget, which is that God is for me and against sin. God does not see me as my sin, just like the owner of the house sees the white ants (and not the house) as the problem. He does not ask of me to feel guilty when I do something wrong. Jesus did not die on the cross so that every time I think of it, I can feel guilty about “my sin nailing Him to the cross.” He did it so that the burden of the sin can be instantaneously removed, allowing me to run straight to Him for the strength to now fight back against this sin.

Rom 8:1 There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus.

I’d like to paraphrase this into more “normal” English to saying: “There is no reason to feel guilty ...”

Next time you stumble, instead of feeling guilty, rather remember this:

Heb 4:15 Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin. (16) Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.

God the Father, Jesus Christ and you, are on the same side. The devil and sin, are on the other side. Never fall into the trap of thinking that you and your sin are on the one side, and God is on the other side. When you sin, be grateful for the work of the cross, confess as quickly as you can, run into God’s open arms and ask Him for strength to squeeze that sin out of your life.

To make use of this amazing gift, however, you have to be a Child of God. If you have never given your life to Jesus, why don’t you close your eyes right where you are, surrender your life to Him, and ask Him to wash away your sin, allowing you to enter into this new life without guilt, that He promises.

Love

Ashton