CHRISTCOMMUNITY CHURCH

When I found out that we were covering the topic of sin at Christ Community I thought, great, its a topic that is so relevant and unanimously applicable to our lives. But when I looked at the schedule on the CCC website and saw that we were doing 9 weeks of sin, I thought ‘Dave, WHAT are you thinking?!!’. 9 weeks of sin? That’s a bit overkill isn’t it, I mean, I had been to numerous sermons about sin and thought I pretty well had it covered. What more could there possibly be to it?

Well, I guess I was wrong (yes, I admit it).

The series we’ve been doing on sin and mercy has really opened my eyes and helped me to better understand not only what sin is, but how it works in our hearts and minds, and what that actually looks like. I mean, I knew I was a sinner, but I hadn’t really thought about it at a deeper level –such as the root causes of sin in my heart and the process with which it would just manifest itself and take control of my whole mind, thoughts, feelings, and actions. And it happens all so, so easily….

So I started thinking more about my sin, and why it sourced from the same issues and weak points? I knew from the sermons that I had to dig deeper. Not only looking at why I was thinking or feeling or doing the things I was, but also what was and is the underlying cause. Once I actually stopped to analyse it, and found out it was not pretty. I could really see how sin was manipulating the tactic of temptation and deception in my mind and my heart to convince me that it was better than Jesus. Simple really, but so true and the consequences so devastating!

But if the story stopped there, I might as well have given up there. But luckily for me, the story doesn’t stop there. I’ve realised that no matter how overwhelming and powerful sin can be in my life, the ONLY way out of its firm and sometimes debilitating grip is the person of Jesus. Seeking His love, forgiveness and surrendering myself completely to his Lordship. And holding on to His promises of His love, goodness and ultimate security. And not just once, but again and again and again….for as many times that it takes….

These last couple of months have definitely made me more self aware of my own battles, knowing where my weak points and trigger points are and trying to actively give these over to the God before the temptation gives way. And although I had known about God’s grace, and thought I had understood it, its only been very recently that I’ve actually learnt to consciously rely on it and ask for it to get me through the times of temptation and weakness, throughout the whole day. And I know that its available freely and abundantly to me. How awesome and liberating is that?

So while I’m conscious that my battle with sin is far from over, I’m convinced that a greater knowledge of its workings within me is ammunition for the fight against it…and I know that the only way to win is to be fully dependent on Jesus, wholeheartedly and continually!

Thanks Dave and CCC for a great reminder of these truths over the last 9 weeks!

Milli