When my relationship with Jesus was new, I was very sin conscious. I had to be this perfect Christian. I spent more time worrying about trying not to sin than I did focusing on Jesus. If I had any type of negative thoughts or actions, I beat myself up about it, even after asking God for forgiveness. The struggle was real! The struggle was real because we face temptation in some way every day. We need to focus on Christ and our power through Him to resist the temptations of life. As my relationship with Jesus grew, I began to be more Christ conscious. Satan loves it when we are sin conscious, it keeps our mind on him and sin. What I finally understood is that there is no trial, difficulty, challenge, or temptation that we face, Jesus cannot identify with. Jesus who was sinless was also tempted by satan. Jesus resisted sin with God’s Word, and He chose to do His Father’s will, as should we. The Good News is when we fall short (and we will) because of His love, Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins; past, present and future. When we focus on His sacrifice and the price He paid, we are Christ-conscious, sinful thoughts and actions cannot be at the center of our mind, because our mind is so full of God.
It’s like being on a diet, once we say the word diet, the struggle gets worst! All we think about is not eating, and then food becomes our main thought which makes us want to eat more! It works the same with sin. Developing our relationship with Christ and focusing on him is the key. When we focus on His goodness and His faithfulness, sin becomes less of an option. We just want to please Him! God is faithful. He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. Our Father will always provide a way out! We can rejoice in the fact that Jesus is our advocate. He is the reason that we can draw near to Father God and be in His presence. We can spend time with Him and meditate on His Word. Spending time with God helps align our desires with God’s desires for us. Do you want that family member saved? Do you want God to provide for you? Are you having trouble on the job? Do you want God to open a door to advance His kingdom? Do you want God to provide you with a spouse? Do you want to start your own business? Then get into position and spend time with Christ. As we draw near to Him, we experience His love, grace, and mercy, not judgment! Love and Blessings…
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:29)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2: 5-7)
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
“There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
EMMANUEL 