Christian Guilt

2.4

The guilt of sin

Romans 7:15-16 (ESV)

I do not understand my own actions.  For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.  Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law that it is good.

Romans 3:23-24 (ESV)

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His Grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Luke 13:24 (ESV)

Strive to enter through the narrow door.  For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

I’m going to do alot of rambling today so bare with me.  I hope I get the point across that I am trying to make.

OK.  So Paul, who is probably one of the greatest biblical teachers of all time, says in our first verse that he does things that he hates to do.  He also says he doesn’t do the things that he should do.  That should sound familiar to all who are saved.  He is abviously disgusted with himself for doing and not doing things the way God would have him too, but I think He is also trying to explain to us the grace of God.  If Paul talks about his shortcomings and still knows he is saved by God’s grace through Jesus, then we all shouldn’t let satan beat us up about sins in our life.

Now, am I saying to just go ahead and sin because we are saved?  Definitely not.  In our second verse it does say that ALL have sinned and FALL SHORT of the glory of God. But in Romans 2:13 it says that It is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the DOERS of the law who will be JUSTIFIED.  So yes, we are saved by Grace and there are no works we can do to get us into heaven, But we are to strive to do what God wants us to do.  

Another verse important in today’s message is Luke 13:24.  I want you to pay close attention to the first word “STRIVE” to enter through the narrow door.  Strive means to try.  So to put it in “STEVE” terms, I think what is meant here is that we shouldn’t get saved and then stop trying  to do God’s will, on the contrary we should try harder.  People that get saved and then never try and search for God’s will for their life are just a gigantic waste of space because if they don’t try and draw closer to God then He won’t draw closer to them.  Then  in that case, they won’t have a clue what God wants for their life.

I hope I didn’t confuse anyone today, but I really felt led to discuss this in today’s message.  Remember, If you feel convicted (sorry) for your sinful life and you know Jesus died on that cross for you, then just ask him to forgive you for your sins and turn away from the life you’ve been living and seek God’s will for your life.