Many people see Christianity as basically living by a mandate from God to live right but this is not so. There’s much more to it than that. There is submission and repentance but there is also almost unbelievable love and grace. I think that many people don’t understand that part of it and many of those who do don’t entirely take it to heart.
It is true that it is important that, when we enter into a relationship with Jesus, we truly submit to Him. He said “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). It is also imperative that we do our best to turn from our sin. Repentance is the first thing that Jesus ever preached about (Mark 1:15) and repenting of sin is a foundational part of salvation (Acts 3:19).
With that said, it is very important to remember that He died for us while we were still lost in that sin (Romans 5:8). We are supposed to follow His standards when it comes to recognizing sin and, with His help, do our best not to sin, but we cannot do that perfectly, not even close. That’s why His sacrifice was necessary in the first place. We are saved because of His love and grace, not because of anything we do (Ephesians 2:8-9). The main point of the Old Testament was to demonstrate the need for what comes in the New Testament, the need for grace that is only possible through Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf.
Are you struggling? If so, you’re in good company. Paul, a man who ended up being one of history’s most Godly men and probably the greatest evangelist the world has ever known, struggled too. Look at what Paul had to say here:
Look at Romans, chapter 7, verse 15 and then skip to verse 19.
15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.
19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.
Paul struggled and he apparently was frustrated by that struggle. Notice that he mentions his struggles in Verse 15, saying that he doesn’t understand why he doesn’t do what he wants to do, and then he repeats basically the same thing in verse 19. Verse 19 is a little more specific. He makes it clear that it is sin that he struggles with, saying that he wants to do good but does evil. It is sin that is at the root of most of our struggles too, though it can be hard to recognize that fact. As you read the above verses and you see Paul talking about his struggles and you see him repeating himself, do you get the sense that he is very frustrated? Do you imagine that he may have sometimes felt that he just couldn’t do it? Do you feel his frustration? You may feel like you just can’t do it. On your own, you’re right, you can’t. However, in God’s strength, Paul did and you can too, although, like Paul, you cannot do it perfectly. Please don’t beat yourself up over your struggles. Please don’t dwell on your past failure.
As I write this, a lot of students and teachers are beginning a new school year. This has me thinking about new beginnings. As we begin a new chapter in life, it can be easy to get discouraged by looking back at previous chapters that didn’t go so well. I would encourage you to follow the example of Paul and how he dealt with his struggles. Consider his words in Philippians 3:13-14.
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Don’t beat yourself up over the past and don’t rely on yourself for the future. Look to Him, in all things, and He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:6).
It is inevitable that we will sometimes fail. When we do, He gives more grace (James 4:6) and His mercies are new every day (paraphrase of Lamentations 3:22-23). Many of us need to stop wearing ourselves out trying to earn what we could never earn but that we already have, His love and His grace. Do your best but realize that you don’t have to be good enough because He is. Don’t look back. Just press forward. He loves you. Rest in that love.
