If you sin without knowing what you're doing, God takes that into account. But if you sin knowing full well what you're doing, that's a different story entirely. Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God.
Romans 12:13 (The Message)
Well there we have it. We are accountable, not just to others, but God Himself. I have been so convicted by Romans and am so thankful I have a wonderful professor who is going through this book with us in NT2. It's convicting. Just last week I was so convicted in class, surrounded by fellow believers, that my eyes were stinging with tears. I so often lose sight of God's love for me, His amazing sacrifice and enduring promise to see me through any struggle or temptation. So, why do I so easily fall into sin? I "know" the Word of God, but am I taking it into my heart, allowing it to change me and grow in the Lord? Sometimes, no. I am beginning to feel the pull of sin in my life and being lonely and not having good friends around makes it even harder.
All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.
Romans 5:21-22
That's the good news! It's a huge encouragement to me that God is aggressive with His grace. He gives me rules and His word to show me my need for Him. My need for His grace, love and forgiveness give me a desire to love and worship Him. Sin threatens me. It kills me, but Jesus gives me life and love. This is a short blog, but I hope it gives you hope. These scriptures sure have helped me the last few days.
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