One of my sons experienced months of intense spiritual struggle. During this time, my husband and I had many conversations with him to encourage and advise. After an extended period of time with no updates or apparent struggles, I decided to ask how it was going. He replied, “Oh, it’s been fine ever since I did what you suggested.” I was flabbergasted. I had no idea what he was talking about, so I responded, “We talked about many things. What exactly did you find helpful?” He said, “You told me that God is our father and we are His children. Any time you are struggling or feel like the devil is picking on you, you call out to God, crying, “Daddy! Daddy, help me!” So, I’ve done that, and it’s worked. He’s helped me.”

The next day, as I thought about this conversation, I was brought to tears. What a valuable lesson to learn so young! It is vital to recognize our weakness and inability, and call on God for His strength and wisdom. And, how powerful to see God work on your behalf! He reveals Himself to us in those moments of weakness.

Our last blog, “Clear the Way,” revealed God as the mover of mountains and obstacles. He was calling for a highway so that He might come to His people and that His people might be gathered to Himself. The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of this through Jesus, who revealed God to humankind and provided a way to bridge the impossible gap of sin.

As people choose to follow Christ and surrender their lives to Him, they are grateful that He accomplished what was humanly impossible–the payment for sin and provision for a relationship with God. Christ did what we could not do. Only He has the power and ability to take on our sin.

So, tell me, why is it that so many people feel compelled to deal with their own sin after they become Christians?

I have witnessed a lot of striving within the Church; fruitless attempts to clean up their lives. Those that appear to be successful become judgmental and those that fail isolate themselves. This is not life in abundance. This is living a lie.

Let’s look back at that highway from the last post. God has cleared and provided a road for you. You have chosen to turn to face Him, and therefore are now on that road. Let’s say you’re walking along and there’s a pile of poo blocking your way. It’s gross and it stinks bad, too. You don’t have a shovel or anything to deal with it. What to do! You figure you’ll deal with it the best you can, so you try to kick it to the side. But smears further over your path and now you have it all over your shoe. You try to get a leaf or something to scrape it off, but get poo on your hands. Now you realize someone is coming up the road nearby. You quickly turn to block the scene and try to hide your hands and nasty shoe. The person in passing engages you in small talk, all the while you’re hoping they just leave and won’t notice your mess.

We weren’t equipped to conquer sin on our own before salvation and we aren’t equipped to conquer sin on our own after salvation either. Our job is not to conquer sin, but to submit to the Lord—to turn our face towards Him, believing in Him. Conquering sin is God’s job, always has been and always will be.

As we walk down this road of faith, may we have the humility and faith of a dearly loved child who cries out to their daddy for help in times of trouble.

For more time in the Word this week:
Psalm 34
Proverbs 2:1-8
Matthew 7:7-12
John 6:28-29
1 John 3:19-24