Note before sharing the devotional: The older I get (relatively speaking), and the more I know, the more aware I have become how I know the right thing to do and then don't do it. Sin is still sin, but it is worse to know the right thing to do and then not do it vs. not knowing the right thing to do and then sinning because of ignorance. This, I believe is a key part why I (and all of us who profess to believe) need to continue pleading for God's mercy. None of us can produce enough righteousness on our own to please God in order to, among other things, be granted entry into heaven upon dying. We need God's mercy, and the only way to receive that mercy is by receiving what God has already done for you and me: He sacrificed His Son Jesus Christ to die on a cross for our sins, and it was Jesus's blood that paid the requisite price for all sin, past, present and future. But it starts with us humbling ourselves. Ultimately, God will humble us if we don't.
All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6, NKJV
In Scripture, sin is used to describe actions that miss the target God has asked us to aim for: living a life centered around loving God and others. While there are universal actions that dishonor God, small acts of disobedience also pull us away from Him. The apostle James wrote that “it is a sin to know what the right thing to do is, and then not do it” (James 4:17).
In other words, if you know what God is asking you to do, yet you still decide to disobey Him—then you’re undermining God’s authority in your life. Sin entices us because it is self-gratifying, but it results in eternal separation from God and others.
For a long time, there was no way for most people to draw near to God because God cannot be a part of anything that undermines His perfect character.
But while we were controlled by sin, Jesus came and died for us. And because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can now experience a life that isn’t ruled by our mistakes.
Jesus’ voluntary sacrifice and separation from God can lead to our reconciliation with Him. None of this is because we deserve it, but because God has always desired it.
While we might continue to struggle between doing right and wrong, we don’t have to face this struggle alone. And the great news is: God wants to help because He knows that we can’t overcome sin on our own.
So right now, take note of some of the things you are currently struggling with. Where do you need to give God control? Picture handing those things over to Jesus and allow Him to show you His love for you. He paid the price for your forgiveness. You only need to receive it.
https://bible.com/bible/59/isa.53.6.ESV
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