Lies I Tell, Part II

October 21, 2006

There’s a lie I tell myself that’s recently been getting a lot of mileage.  It’s very effective at getting me off balance and keeping me there for a while.  This is it:

“Yes, it’s a sin, but it’s not a big deal.”  I’ll call it LIE2.

I was saved by God’s grace and I’m bound for heaven.  But while I’m here I am expected to continually drive sin from my life.  To recognize my weaknesses and stop taking the bait.  To guard against dangerous situations, and avoid them when I can.  When I slip (which is daily, if not hourly) I sometimes comfort myself with LIE2.

LIE2 is the most effective source of confusion in my life.  Every time I sin, I need to immediately stop it.  Address it.  Reject it.  That is how I grow in faith and trust in God.  The second I turn to LIE2, Satan is on my back and we’re off to the races.  When I accept one sin in my life, I open the door to whatever else might be waiting to waltz in.

For me, sins come in bunches.  They must travel in packs, looking for any chance to stop and visit.  Take their shoes off.  Stay a while.  When I let one in, his friends are right behind.  How could I possibly believe LIE2?  In my heart, I know that even the smallest of sins - and just one - is enough to keep me in hell forever.  All praise to Jesus Christ for saving me from that.

Society will continue to pound their message:  “Buy more, eat more, envy and hate.  Steal and lie.  Sneer, despise.  Download it for later.  It’s OK.  Sneak a peek, and rationalize.  Above all, be proud, trust and believe in the gods we love: tolerance, things, and yourself.  And if you go too far, get embarrassed or caught, tell LIE2.  And find support.”

Christ is my joy and my all.  I’m a new man in Him.  Sin IS that bad.  It’s not OK.  If He is my strength, I will prevail.  

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Ro6:22-23

In His service,

Mike