Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’
That means nothing, for I tell you, God can make children of Abraham
from these very stones.
Matthew 3:9
“I’m not perfect.” is an overused statement commonly used to buffer sin we’re not willing to deal with. Have you ever heard anyone who loved Jesus make this claim having clearly understood their sin? It’s like saying, “I’m not always faithful to my spouse.” while expecting to be forgiven for my next infraction. Nowhere in the Bible do we find followers of Christ with this attitude of entitlement. On the contrary—listen to king David: “I said, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord; heal me, for I have sinned against You.'” (Psalm 41:4) David had a track record of poor choices, but we never hear him using grace like a get-out-of-jail-free card. We hear him begging, pleading for his broken heart to be healed. This is what it looks like to have a heart for God. It’s not to say we don’t struggle, or that our appetite isn’t desperately wicked. A heart for God neither denies its wretchedness nor makes excuses for it—but desires more than anything to be just like it’s Maker.
Ananias and Sapphira are examples of thinking our sin something God takes lightly.
The Christian has the Holy Spirit to help overcome unintentional sin. We don’t always know when we’ve sinned. But when we do know, and still choose to disobey God, or deny His power to be healed—we set ourselves up for misery.
What does Jesus say to His disciples during the most famous sermon ever preached? “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as Your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) We never encounter Jesus rubbing the head of a self-pitying disciple, and saying, “It’s okay, son. I understand. Life is hard.” No, we hear: “Get up.” “Go.” “Flee.” “Sin no more.”
God has come to save us from sin,
not leave us slaves to it.
Hear how Jesus deals with His chosen children’s refusal to bow before His power, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am?” (John 14:19) In Matthew 10 there’s this fascinating account of Jesus giving His disciples power over demons and diseases. Later, we hear Jesus’s sharp disapproval when they fail to heal a boy who suffers with seizures. “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to Me.” What may sound harsh to us . . . is actually righteous reproof. God has come to save us from sin . . . not leave us slaves to it.
“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)
If the Holy Spirit be our Advocate, our lame excuses are working to ruin us. If my mouth still chooses to wake up and complain, I shouldn’t be surprised when I get what I asked for. The Father means to lower any lofty attitude—as it only hinders happiness. Of course we unknowingly sin. We’ve been given grace to repent and ask for forgiveness—but to sin knowingly, we should expect nothing less than God’s loving repercussions.
God’s not looking for indentured servants,
but loving, devoted children.
Contrary to what the Pharisees and Sadducees believed and taught, heaven has never been about scoring points with God. The kingdom of heaven is believing God so loves you He’d bear your punishment for you. It’s not business—it’s incredibly personal.
I once thought myself safe because of my family’s religious affiliation. I baptized my children as infants for the same reason. Without question, I followed practices laid down from childhood, assuming I was reserving a chance at the promised land. But my Bible says, God’s not looking for indentured servants, but loving, devoted children. God didn’t send His Son to die for Himself . . . but for me. I’m a sinner who needs God to save me from myself. God didn’t bring me into this world simply to clean His kitchen, sweep His floor, or plow His field—though I consider that a tremendous blessing. The Father’s greatest motivation is His great love. God aims to deliver us from the power of darkness and deliver us into the kingdom of the Son of His love . . . and receive our love in return.
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)
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