If you do well, [e]will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” (Gen 4: 7-8)
We who follow Jesus Christ are often confronted with lifestyle behaviors from our past that are not only displeasing to God but very difficult to cast off even though we may not have been involved in them for months or even years. Why, is it so difficult to overcome these things?
I know from my own experience I often find myself tempted to go back to the things I did so regularly before I received new birth in Jesus Christ. What I know to be wrong and displeasing to God, I find myself doing almost involuntarily. Ten minutes then into the behavior, I realize, God is watching and NOT PLEASED at all with my behavior. Burdened with guilt, I ask again for forgiveness, feeling like the life has gone out of me. Repetitive sin followed by overwhelming guilt and sorrow I believe plagues not only me but many Christians.
Is God not powerful enough to eliminate this from my life?
I don't think so.
After reading this passage from Genesis, I heard the Lord say,"I want you to master your repetitive sin." "John, I am not going to remove this thing from you because I want you, son to build discipline. The devil and your own sin nature will always be 'crouching at the door,' and you must understand how to deal with the temptation." God, I believe is so gracious to his children because He is teaching us how to be adults in Christ. Just as any parent who loves his children he or she will let their children fail in their attempts to do a particular activity, not so that they would be permanently hurt but that they would master the activity.
As I consider the great love my heavenly Father has poured out on me I have new view of my bestting sin. As I struggle with the sin crouching at my door, I must rely on my Father and trust Him as he takes me through this journey which reveals what is truly in my heart. The struggle causes me to look into the mirror and see what God sees about me and although at times the view is painful I know that through the pain my trust in the Lord is increasing. Afterall, a few bumps and bruises and some skinned knees are a small price pay for a lifetime of freedom from a debilitating sin and an eternity with a Father who loves me more than His Son's life.
My prayer. Father I dedicate every day to you. Cause me to be self-examining and to not be afraid of what I see. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness as I stumble through an egternal journey with You. In Jeus name I pray.
Blessings!
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