(Picture of Cheri Keaggy--Talented Christian Artist)I was driving back from Arizona today and contemplating this issue of sin and believers. I find myself going back and forth between Christian and secular music and noting that when it comes to sin there is many times little difference between the performers, although we tend to put our trust in one more that the other.
Sin is a paradox because if I sin and ask for forgiveness, then it really doesn’t matter what I do. For instance if I’m a minister in a church and I have an affair and then leave the church and marry the other woman. I then ask for forgiveness. The man should then be forgiven What if I would ask the minister if he would do it again --What would he say?
Apparently people are only judged when it comes to salvation. If you believe the bible then you must also believe that the person is forgiven who repents and believes in Christ as their savior. As an observer or church member of this minister above I may feel bitterness, anger even depression—Is it possible this church member is then wrapped up in sin because of a lack of faith.?
For example David and Bathsheba: David sinned by first having an affair then committed murder by sending Bathsheba’s husband to the front lines. These two wed and had Solomon upon whose throne and lineage that the Lord Jesus Christ will reign forever. Would David if asked commit the sin again with Bathsheba?
We must be missing something and that something is faith. No matter what happens a person with faith should be confident that God is working for their good. Victimization in itself is a sin---no this can’t be or could it be. It’s imperative that friends and other Christians help victims to allow them to overcome their adversary.
The power to forgive and the power to have faith are important actions of free will. The power to forgive yourself and others are ways to move mountains. When bad comes have faith and move mountains. When good comes have faith move mountains. Remember Job—He lost everything but still had faith. His wife told him to curse God and die. His friends tried to find fault in his ways. Job suffered greatly but was still victorious. The only answer to this paradox of sin is that faith in Christ in all situations is key to defeating the enemy and accessing the power of God.
