On Battling Sin

Dear sons, 

 I just wanted to write to you quickly today!

 I want you to know that you are NOT alone in this battle!  Do not be discouraged by your sin... look to Christ. His forgiveness, grace and power to save and forgive are WAY WAY bigger than your sin.

You may think that you are "trying hard to become a Christian" but your reoccurring sin makes you doubt your salvation - I have good news for you. One who is not born again, whose heart has not been made new by the power of the Spirit, does not even want to become one. His heart is hardened towards God and hates even the though of being cleansed and resemble Christ in any way shape or form. 

"The child of God has 2 great marks about him...." How would you finish this sentence?

Faith and repentance?
Praise and thanksgiving?
Humility and joy?
...??

I am not sure what I would have said - but not this:

J.C. Ryle, in his book "Holiness" says: The child of God has 2 great marks about him. He may be known by his inward warfare, as well as by his inward peace"

Be encouraged! For as long as there is a battle within your heart and mind, there is hope!

Make a covenant with your eyes, heart and mind (not for the next month, or year, but for the next minute!!) to kill sin before sin kills me. Kill it daily. Kill it every minute. Be alert and on guard.

You can do it!! Not because you are able, strong, smart... but because HE WHO LIVES IN YOU is capable.

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever." Jude 1:24-25

We are welcomed into His presence, not because we are good, but because HE IS GOOD. Not our works but HIS! And He can make wonders in your life. Forgive ALL sins if you come to Him. That's it! Nothing else. So go to Him, believe in the forgiveness of sins.

Look how gracious God has been to you throughout your life! He did not leave you in your sin! He uses all means to awaken you and to cause you to repent! Praise the Lord!

Find what triggers your temptations and RUN AWAY! Do whatever it takes to avoid them. And if you fall, run to Christ again! and again, and again!! HE is not like us. He delights in showing mercy. Put as many blocks between you and your sin of as to make it difficult to fall.

Just do not despair. Whatever you have done. It does not matter. Go to Christ. Know His forgiveness. Experience repentance. And be expectant of the work that He does in the lives of His people.

Praying for you. 

Mom.