SIN:A Longing For It To End

I am sure that if you are a young person-in your teens or 20's(or 30's and 40's-as far as I am concerned), you may think that combating sin in your life gets easier as you age. I hate to pop your balloon-but that is a fairy tale. Sin is ever waiting to snare you-no matter your age.

I remember as a young woman and new believer that I really looked forward to aging-as I thought I would not have so much difficulty with certain sin issues. The truth is I do not have a lot of problem with the sins I battled in my youth-but a whole new set of sins has presented itself to me in my "twilight years"-if that is what 60+ is.

I used to do daily battle with vanity-pride-idolatry-anger-thinking too highly of myself-and thinking too much about me and my needs. I was undisciplined about my time, and lacked self control. I talked too much and listened too little. I did not know how to say no to anything I was asked to do-and neglected my home and family at times. If I thought about those days I could come up with many more sins that I battled-but this list gives you a clue.

Somehow I really thought that growing old would bring a less intense battle with sin. That-my friend-is a total myth and  has been a crushing disappointment for me! Growing old does not bring a lesser battle with sin-it just brings a different set of sins to the war.

These days I must put my armor on to fight the good fight against some old foes and some new ones. Let me name a few for you. Fear is high on my new list-fear of what the future may be like if I lose my husband-or my health. Finding contentment in the midst of hard circumstances and being very sure that self pity does not ravage my heart. Anger still bubbles up many days-as does impatience with some circumstances and some people. I have a tendency to want to just throw high maintenance people under the bus-and find myself very irritated with them. The Lord seems to keep these folks ever present-as he cuts away painfully at my bad attitudes.

The marvelous thing about it all is this-when sin overtakes me-grace and forgiveness always find me and save me. God's Grace manifest in Jesus Christ. The forgiveness given to me because Jesus took God's wrath for me on the cross.

Grace-Mercy and Forgiveness-the never fail trio for the believer at whatever age we find ourselves in this world. You will never out grow your propensity for sin in this life-so continue to put that armor on! Make up your mind that as long as you live-you are going to be Bulldog tenacious in your battle against your sin.

I will leave you with this well known passage of Scripture-memorize it.
Col 3:5-11
 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.  In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.  But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
ESV


By the way-that is Gus-our Able Bulldog-in the picture.