Sin and the Law

Yesterday in my devotions it talked about the Law and how in Christ Jesus we are set free from the law. I always had a struggle with understanding that, because I found that the law is what can keep us from doing the wrong thing, but then the verse that cleared it up for me is found in Romans 3:20 "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin."

So the Law is not done because we know it, but is done because we want to be right with God. The Law shows us where we are sinning and when we seek Righteousness, we seek to be right with God. Being right with God means that I need to be willing to look at the myself and see how I am sinning. It says in 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." It isn't just on the day that I asked Jesus into my heart, but every day that I need to keep a right heart to God. I need to be willing to confess my sins to Him, for He will be faithful to forgive them, I am not trying to keep my life pure before God. James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

God knew that we are human and even when we were saved, we would still sin, I need to be willing to admit my sins, not just to God, but to admit them to others. We learn either by doing or we can learn how to stand by helping each other, by working together, in our homes, our marriages, in life. We need to be willing to say I was wrong and not only ask God to forgive us, but also ask our wives/husbands, children and whomever else we have sinned against. I can't say it is easy to admit my wrongs to others, but it helps build my relationship with our Father, because I am willing to say I was wrong. By asking Jesus to forgive me, but also by asking those I have sinned against to forgive me as well.

Matthew 18:21-22 "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

Jesus talks about forgiveness in how He tells us how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13 "Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil."

Forgive us our debts or our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. We need to have a heart of forgiveness, we can't keep score. Mark 11:25 "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”" Jesus warns us that we must not have unforgiveness in our hearts when we pray. The Lord does not keep score, He wipes our sins out. Jesus wants to set us free, but also to keep us walking in repentance and freedom. 

Proverbs 28:13-14 "Whoever hides his transgressions will not succeed, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will find mercy. Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into disaster."

Proverbs 19:20 "Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future."