LIVING ON THE EDGE

Every single human being on this planet has issues.  If you don’t admit you do, that’s your issue!  As you might have already suspected, I am not one to mince words.

People who live on the edge don’t usually back away from it.  Sin is defined by the Bible as spiritual and emotional death.  Sin leaves us empty, broken and unfulfilled inside.  It also leaves a God-sized hole in our hearts which of course only God can fill.  James 1:13-14 When tempted, no one should NOT say, “God is tempting me.”  For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death. (spiritual death) Sin attacks our peaceful relationship with God.

When we are in sin, we do not think straight and it affects us and everyone else around us.  Then it escalates to a cover-up and we sweep our junk under the rug, pretending we are clean, knowing that it will not go away until it is confronted head on.  We become callous when all who are affected are clearly hurt from its deadly results, feelings that do not adequately guide us to what is right.  Why does this happen? 

When we are confronted with sin, we sink lower and lower in it and then we start to feel God’s conviction.  We feel the guilt of knowing that we broke God’s heart.  That in turn hurts us and God’s heart breaks even more when He sees us hurt.  Covering up one’s sins says we don’t trust God, which brings me to the subject of repentance.

First things first, back up from the ledge!  Take several steps back so you still have room to be safe.  Then we need to develop a predetermined moral code.  In other words, draw a line in which you will refuse to cross, no matter how difficult!  Simply, ask God to help you avoid it, just ask, you will be surprised how much God wants to keep you out of sin more than you will ever know.

Next, don’t say, “I need to fix myself first before I go to church.”  That’s like saying “let me straighten up before the maid gets here to clean my house.”  Instead, RUN TO GOD… and fast!  When sin is fresh, run to God!  It will be easier to address this right away because the longer you wait, it becomes harder to address.  God loves you and if you are feeling the guilt, that’s the Holy Spirit making you feel it! 

Then ADMIT IT.  Confess your sins.  It’s not like God didn’t see you do it.  However, you still have to admit that you did and He is there, ready to forgive you, the loving and forgiving father that he is.   God desires the truth on the inside of us. Don’t look at Him like your own father who will still be pissed off about what you did or maybe will give you a punishment or the cold shoulders for a time.  God said when you ask me to forgive you, I instantly do and it is forgotten as far as the east is from the west! Wow! 

Then PRAY FOR CLEANSING AND FORGIVENESS.  This is like washing your hands after you’ve handled something dirty.  It gives you that feeling of cleanliness.  You know the one, after you’ve been in the sun and dirt all day and the fresh feeling you feel after a nice hot shower?

Here is the final but most important step.  ASK FOR RENEWAL.  If you skip this part, you are in trouble.  Why?  This is the part where you should feel completely forgiven, given the feeling of reconnecting with your intimacy with God that you lost.  Hypocrisy is knowing that you CAN be forgiven but refusing forgiveness.  God is waiting to do so.  If God can FORGET your sins, you should as well.  This step does that for you.  It will bring you back to the same spot of happiness in your relationship with God before the sin. 

Remember that there is NO sin so big that God can’t forgive you for.  He is more than happy to forgive you.  The relief that Jesus brings with the power of forgiveness is the best feeling in the world.  He wants to clean you, restore you and renew you to the original peace of innocence and honor before you ever sinned.  Can you extend the same offer to someone else who has sinned against you by forgiving and forgetting the sin?

Till my next reveal... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!