“And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11, CSB)
One of the devil’s tricks is to make us feel unique in our failures. But we have all sinned; that’s why we gave our lives to Jesus. And even though washed, sanctified, and justified, we still struggle with sin. We struggle against the dual desires to remain unstained by the world (James 1:27) and to remain in the world to reach those still trapped in sin. All while growing into the fullness of Christ.
This is always difficult to write about. On the one hand, we need to be realistic and honest that while cleansed, we still get dirty from our sins. On the other hand, we don’t want to excuse sin by making it sound like it doesn’t matter. The question is one of desire. What do we want? Do we want to have a cake and eat it to? Or do we desire a clean life that glorifies God?
God wants us to keep our lives clean from sin. Yet, He also knows that we have feet of clay and will sin. Even if we’ve mastered our tongue and all of the Ten Commandments, we can still trip and fall over our sinful pride.
How do we overcome sin? By being honest with God about it. In Christ, we are forgiven, made holy, washed, and clean. Doing something that stains our soul doesn’t end our relationship with God; it should drive us ever deeper into His love. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, CSB)
Let me speak for a moment to those struggling with addiction. Christ knows what you are going through. He knows you may fall many times as you struggle with this sin. Run to Him, do what you can to walk away from the addiction. Discover and avoid your triggers. Find people who can help you when most tempted. Place your faith in Christ to set you free.
Other verses for this promise (Compiled by David Wilkerson)
- 1 Corinthians 6:11
- Jude 24
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- John 15:3
- Isaiah 1:18
- Titus 3:5-6
- Psalm 65:3
- 1 John 1:7
- Hebrews 9:14
- 2 Samuel 22:21
- Isaiah 35:8
- Hebrews 10:22
- Proverbs 16:3
- Isaiah 55:7
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23
- Matthew 5:8
- Promises: When a clean life is hard - January 15, 2025
- Promises: When in Doubt or Fear - January 13, 2025
- Promises: Be Witnesses - January 8, 2025
