A Beautiful Truth To Remember When Your Heart’s Heavy With Sin

“Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” Titus 3:3-7, NLT

Do you ever wish that you were different? I mean, maybe you have a few qualities about yourself that you’d change in a heartbeat.

I wish I wasn’t such a worrier. I know that I shouldn’t, but I always travel down that road. Participating in this activity never bodes well, and I end up further away from God then growing closer to Him.

We all have these vices and behaviors that we know aren’t beneficial, but we continue to do them.

The apostle Paul sums it up in this passage: “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” (Romans 7:19-20, ESV)

Left in our humanness, we are bound to self-sabotage and get ourselves into trouble. Sin likes to allure us and pull our attention to things that can fulfill us momentarily but leave us perpetually unsatisfied and unfulfilled.

Return to the Gospel

Want to know a life-changing truth from Titus 3:3-7?

While we were at our worst, God sent His Son to save us.

We didn’t have to clean up our act or get it right (or even try to get it right); He swooped in and grabbed ahold of us. Jesus offered us salvation through faith, even when we still fall into our repeated sin and habits.

Many days I fail at being a Christian. Maybe you agree with me that there seems to be so much work to be done in us. We need more patience, love, self-control, gentleness and joy. God didn’t neglect to cover this either. Instead, He covered us fully and leaves us with this other truth and promise.

He is remaking us and refining us to be more like Him. And you know what? It will take our entire lives on earth.

“For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13, CSB)

We are work-in-progress believers.

Jesus Removes the Shackles of Sin

As I look back at the birth of our Savior, I’m filled with such hope.

When I try following His directives on my own willpower, I constantly fail and become weary in the process.

The question beckons me: “how will I ever do this, how can I ever live like God wants me to?” At about the same time this question escapes, this small nudge within tells me: Jesus has done it all.

He has covered where you’re lacking, the motivation you can’t muster up, and He has given you the ability to trust Him as He works deep within. His Spirit is in you.

We might not always see the fruits of His labor because sin bogs us down. Sometimes we can’t see the change within us, but others can see it. God has promised to change and remake us (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

As Christmas draws close, friend, and the “shoulds” and desires of your heart to get this life right overwhelms you, let us remember the gift of the babe in the manger. He came down to earth to give us such beautiful blessings and promises.

You aren’t who you once were, and God is leading you to become more like Him. It’s His gift to you. We have hope all due to the love of the Messiah.

“No man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open unto all men: neither is there any other thing which keepeth us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief...” - John Calvin

Questions for the Heart:

1. When you feel like a failure, why can recalling the Gospel renew your hope?
2. How does knowing that Jesus mercifully regenerated your heart and helps you by His Spirit inspire you to holiness rather than make you weary?
3. What sins do you need to repent of? Pray to the Lord for forgiveness, knowing in doing so you are fully washed!

Author: Julie Loos from www.unmaskingthemess.com