Monday, May 8, 2023
With the rain and cold weather, I have been feeling depressed and unmotivated. I started a project in my house over a month ago, injured my shoulder, and have not been able to make any progress. I don’t have what it takes because I’m stuck in a failing body. I’m afraid all the answers to my prayers are, “NO!” I feel disconnected from God and am trying to power through on my own effort apart from him. The emptiness that I feel is sin—because anything that separates me from God and his intent for me—is sin.
In the weekend message, we learned about three types of sin and the effect each has on us:
- Personal Sin: our sinful nature or default mode. It is our own sinful actions that leave us with feelings of guilt.
- Relational Sin: things that others do that affect our lives and often result in hurt.
- Earthly Sin: tragedies that leave us with grief. Examples are an illness or loss of a loved one.
Oh, boy! I can relate to each one of these. I’ve experienced them all in just the past few months, and as a result, I’ve reverted to trying to please God in every area of my life. I’ve prayed more, churched more, and given more, but the results haven’t freed me. They’ve left me feeling like a fraud. The discouragement has me wondering if I’m even a Christian! I just can’t seem to do the right thing. There is no motivation to do good. I really don’t want to do the wrong thing, but I can’t help myself! This is the opposite of being free—I’m miserable!
Romans 6:12-14
12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
If you can relate, don’t give up! Jesus offers freedom from a life dominated by sin and death. Romans passage above reminds us that we are no longer condemned if we give our life to Christ Jesus. We have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside, giving us the power to think and respond differently.
Bottom Line: Trusting who God says you are shapes how you respond to sin.
We can trust faithfully, confess honestly, and live purposefully.
Questions:
Where is God asking you to trust him? Are you being honest with God, yourself, and those around you?
Next Steps:
Read Romans 6-8 with the goal of coming back to who God says you are.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the grace that you offer us through your son Jesus, who was, is, and always will be powerful, mighty, and godly. He willingly gave it all up to free us from the punishment for our sins here on earth. That kind of love is so amazing. Help me, Lord, to see myself through your eyes, perfect and blameless in your sight. You are so holy, and I praise your name for all that you have done. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Philippians 2:13
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.