His Grace is Sufficient

CURIOUS CHRISTIAN:

I can’t seem to get it right. Everytime I repent I keep going back to my old ways. Isn’t God tired of hearing me repent for the last 30 times already?

SCRIPTURE: 
2 Cor. 12:9 - Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

We all sin and fall short of his glory (Romans 3:23). Any man that claims he’s without sin is deceiving himself (1 John 1:8). Jesus knew what he meant when he told us to forgive a man “not just seven times, but seventy times seven” (which is 490 times!). Man will always offend man, how much more man offending God. But God in his infinite mercy redeemed us from the snares of the enemy when he died on the cross so we can be free from sin and made whole. 

Believe that for every time you come to God for forgiveness, he has forgiven you of that sin and made you whole. The next time you go to God again with a repentant heart, he doesn't dredge up your sin from yesterday nor does he choose to remember it. He’s not man that he would count your past sins against you (Heb. 10:17-18). He is not man that dwells on unforgiveness. He simply forgives you and makes you whole again. He’s such a merciful God, ever faithful, ever patient. 

No sin is too great or too terrible for God to forgive. Paul (formally Saul) was a murderer who was on a killing spree, targeting those who called themselves Christians (Gal 1:13). But our Lord Jesus appeared to him one day, forgave his sins, and his life took an about-turn, literally. He became a complete radical for Jesus. This is not to say he became perfect - far from the contrary. He said it himself that his body was still a slave to sin, waging war with his mind (Romans 7:22-25). He wasn't perfect, but he attained perfection in his utter devotion and complete dedication to God’s sovereignty.

Jesus said come to Him all that are heavy laden and He’ll give you rest (Matthew 11:28). No burden of sin is too heavy for Him take from you. He longs to cleanse us – infact He already did on the cross. All we need do is speak it out and confess it with our lips, and we’ll be made pure as wool and white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18)

Be Quick, Be Vigilant

It’s okay to wonder how God can keep forgiving us every single time, but it’s also imperative that we’re quick to repent every time we fall short so he can cleanse us. The longer we hold off and hold back, the higher our chances are of being susceptible to eternal condemnation.

Always be sober and vigilant, for the devil is never idle; he prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. He knows your weakness, he knows what your past habits were. He knows the habits you’re struggling to give up. Always be on alert using the word of God, hide it deep within your heart, use it as a lamp to guide and direct you in your daily living. When you inevitably find yourself in sin, be quick to repent, and continue running the race. Strive to grow spiritually and live with intention. Believe that even in your weakness, you are made strong by His Grace, for His Grace is sufficient for you. 

Be intentional about your thoughts, your actions, what you watch, what you read, and what you listen to. Let the Word guide your heart, and don’t let anything that isn't of God penetrate and find its way into your mind. Galatians 5:16 says Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Go ahead and repent from your sins today. He’s longing to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. He wants to bless you today.

Selah