We all struggle with sin. Some of us more than others. The fact of the matter is that we inherited our sin nature from Adam. I have struggled with sin since I was a young boy. It was prevalent enough in my life that it kept me from a true relationship with the Lord until I was 31 years old. I have no doubt that God loved me and had a plan for my life, but I put it on hold by simply being religious. I had no idea that Jesus wanted a relationship with me, so I just kept being religious.
In Isaiah 59:1-2 we read, “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” I didn’t think a whole lot about it. I thought being religious was the right way to live. However, being religious never brought me into a relationship with Jesus. Instead, it allowed me to be ‘good’ when I had to be, but also allowed me to turn away from God and live in sin when I was out of the religious circle. I really didn’t realize that my sin had made a separation between me and God. Oh, I thought about it sometimes but usually just brushed it off because I thought that my religion acts kept me close enough to God to be okay.
I knew the story of David and Bathsheba – how he saw her bathing on the roof, lusted after her, then took her to be intimate with her. After she conceived, he had her husband killed so he wouldn’t be found out and could have her for himself. I often thought how sinful he was. I was never that bad. I could see how his sin brought a separation from God, but my sin was minor compared with his. Isn’t that how we often look at sin? We look around us at others and think they are worse that we are. We judge ourselves by looking at how others live rather than seeing the holiness of God and realizing that we are much worse off than we think.
We are reminded in God’s Word to be holy. In 1 Peter 1:14-16 we read, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” Peter quotes from the Old Testament here to remind the people of God that they are to be holy even as God is holy. That is a much higher standard than I often judge myself by.
“The concept of “holy” is deeply woven into the fabric of Scripture. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as “holy” is “qodesh,” which carries the idea of being set apart, consecrated, or sanctified for sacred use. In the New Testament, the Greek word “hagios” bears a similar meaning and underscores the moral and spiritual purity associated with holiness. The idea is that what God calls holy must be distinct in purpose and dedicated to His honor. Holiness is first anchored in God’s own nature. God’s holiness is highlighted throughout the Old Testament. In Leviticus 11:44, God proclaims, “For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, because I am holy.” Here, the call to holiness flows from the essence of who God is. Because He is holy, those He calls to Himself must also be holy.” ( quoted from Bible Hub)
That means that I should be separate from the world. I should reflect the holiness of my God. When others see me, they should see someone consecrated to the Lord and set apart for His glory. That doesn’t mean that we should be taken out of this world but be more available to touch the world with Jesus. Who is up to such a task?
When I came to know Jesus personally, I was blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. He began changing my heart and my ways. Am I perfect? (Holy like God is Holy) No, I am still a sinner. When sin prevails, the Holy Spirit convicts me of that, and I realize that God is distant. The way to fix that is to repent of that sin (turn away from it), confess it, and seek the Lord. Even as David did after sinning with Bathsheba. We read in of this in Psalm 51:1-4, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
The Lord forgives and I move on reflecting His glory and grace. Oh, what a difference it makes to the world around me because now Jesus is visible in my life. When I keep my eyes on Him my life changes. Sin no longer plagues me. When people observe my life, they see something different.
Let’s not let sin get in the way of living for the Lord.
In Christ,
David ‘PK’ VanderKlay
