One of the first observations I made when I became a Christian over 60 years ago was that I couldn’t sin and enjoy it like before salvation. That hasn’t changed in the years since. Well, it has – sin feels worse and worse all the time. Guilt and shame seem stronger than ever. There is a place for them, like the warning light on the dashboard of your car, or pain in a part of your body. It tells us in no uncertain terms we need to repent (change of direction) and confess our sin. And of course I do that. I hate feeling disconnected from God, empty, no peace or joy. It really makes me feel disappointed in myself, too, when I fail. I expect more of myself at this point in my Christian life!
Then recently I realized something. Of course it was God reassuring me. The thought hit me that I only feel so miserable because God’s Spirit inside me convicts me. I wouldn’t respond that way if it weren’t for God Himself showing His displeasure at my sin. Without His Spirit I’d just sin and enjoy it. There is nothing in me that desires righteousness apart from His Spirit in me. So what’s so good about feeling miserable about sin? It means God hasn’t left me or turned His back on me. He hasn’t given up on me or removed His presence from me. I hurt Him, but He still loves me and wants me back. Can you imagine that?
If I weren’t a child of His I’d be hard and insensitive to sin. I’m so glad I’m not! I’m so glad the Holy Spirit is still clearly working in me. I’m so glad God doesn’t give up on me like I sometimes want to give up on myself.
So my message to you, since you probably experience the same thing, is to confess and return to God ASAP. But don’t beat yourself up after you are cleansed and restored. Don’t think God is disgusted with you and doesn’t want anything to do with you anymore. Clearly He does. The conviction of sin proves it. Don’t give up on yourself – He doesn’t give up on you. Ever!
Romans 11:2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew.
2 Corinthians 7:9-10 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Is there any sin in your life right now that you should confess?
Are you willing to accept God’s forgiveness when you confess instead of continuing to beat yourself up?
Thank God for convicting you of sin because it means He loves you and wants what is best for you.
INDIA UPDATE & PRAYER REQUEST: Another new book we will be giving to the pastors for the first time is “Spiritual Growth and Discipleship.” It is a basic book about living the Christian life, designed for those new to the faith and mature believers who disciple new believers. It’s a broad subject but God helped me put it together quite well and I’m very pleased with how it turned out. Pray God would motivate those who get the book to read it and that He would use it in the lives of those who read it, both for their own spiritual growth and others to whom they minister. If you would like an ecopy of this book or any of the other 9 I have written you can download them at https://www.christiantrainingonline.org/our-ministries/india/books/ or email me at jerry@schmoyer.net and I’ll send you a digital copy of any books you want.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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