We all make mistakes. Some of us a lot, and to refer to it so lightly is an abuse of the truth. Yes, it’s true – most of us struggle with some sort of sin that plagues our lives on a regular basis. We know we shouldn’t let it in, but unfortunately, before we know it, we’re having a nice party. Just to get up the next morning with major feelings of guilt.

Then we promise sincerely that we’ll never cross the line again. But then, before we know it …

The problem is that we send out such a strong message when we continue falling into the same trap again and again: We make a mockery of God. It’s as if we show the world that we have no respect for God. No, even worse, we show the world that we aren’t listening to God and simply do our own thing.

This is the truth: ⁸If you disregard this advice, you’re not offending your neighbors; you’re rejecting God, who is making you a gift of his Holy Spirit. And surely you and I don’t want to be counted amongst these people. We have too much respect for God. He has done so much for us. How can we not live a life that honours Him?

Yes, we all make mistakes. Some a fair number of times. But that doesn’t give us the right to just keep on doing it. Even less does it give us a reason for just keeping on our old ways. We can’t say: “This is just the way it is.”

Somewhere we have to take a stand. Somewhere we have to realise that we cannot continue in this way, dragging God’s name through the mud. It’s time to call in reinforcements. That is why God gave us his Holy Spirit. He already lives in us. Remember: All who receives Jesus as Saviour also receives his Spirit.

However, the problem is that we rush around too much and make too little time for the Holy Spirit to have his say in our lives. We do not make time to come to a standstill, to be quiet. We do not make an appointment with God to meet Him in his Word. Might that be the reason why we look like we do and why we struggle to get rid of the mistake or mistakes in our lives?

Neels taught me a significant lesson about Sin 101:

Last week I overslept a little and had to run through the bath, drop the kids at school and rush to work. As I looked at myself in the rearview mirror, I saw my stubble sticking out like bee stings. I quickly grabbed the electric razor to get my face in order.

Suddenly I was reminded of the verse in 1 Corinthians 15 about sin being the sting of death …

Again I looked at myself in the mirror and no “beard of stings” was visible. But I knew that I would have to use the razor again tomorrow.

The problem is that the razor does not eradicate the beard completely. No, it is simply a superficial cut, “hiding” it until tomorrow.

And then it hit me: This is exactly what I do every day. I simply hide my transgressions for myself and the world, but soon they crop up again, like my stubble, and then my sins are clearly visible again.

Therefore, I have to work on my “Christian CV” and eradicate the stubble completely so that I can stand up clean before God. Indeed, we are the bride of Christ. We need to be and look like a Christian.

Come, let’s make an effort to get rid of sin completely. Let’s ask our friends and the Holy Spirit to help us. Then God’s Name will be honoured all over.

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Reflection

What sin continues to bother you?

How can you get rid of it?

Who can you ask to help you?

Prayer

Lord, I want to serve You. Because You have done so much for me, I have no option but to live within your will. Please help me, Father, I’m struggling. Please let your Spirit guide me – it’s the only thing that will work. Amen.