Hebrews 12:1b the sin which doth so easily beset us

Does the ease of sin upset you? Does it seem unavoidable? Suddenly sin happens, didn’t plan it, didn’t want it, bam, there it is and now I have to deal with it.

I cannot speak for others, I can only speak for myself. I have had many conversations with Christians who tell me, “That’s not a sin.” Really, then why is my conscience being pricked? Because that is God speaking to me. For me and again I say “for me” if I continue to allow my conscience to be continually pricked, it will form scar tissue on my heart and lead to hardening.

There is a difference between picking up a sin and having it cast upon you. One is a bad choice, the other circumstances. Some only want to deal with the bad choice and ignore the sin of circumstance. I say an accumulation of snow happens one flake at a time. Before you know it, you are covered in it. So I choose to deal with both. I, me, my choice. I don’t get to make choices for you.

Acts 28:3,5 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand….And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

I recognize the spiritual implication here. We get snake bit. Shake it off. I’m good with that. What I recognize in myself is that I haven’t come to a point of spiritual growth to which I feel no harm. I want to get there, but I would be liar if I were to claim that to be true.

Faith does not name it and claim it. Faith responds to truth and moves on, knowing the goal is ahead. Claiming perfection does not make me perfect. I want to be holy because God is Holy. I am not there yet.

Hebrews 12:1c let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Carrying sin in a race just slows you down.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

I am not comforted by capital punishment. The law of the land may be upheld, some sense of justice might be seen, but I am not comforted. It is not a deterrent to the next offender. Terror and murder do not stop because of pending judgment.

How can the stripes on a man provide any healing, any comfort, any peace? It cannot. I say this with all sincerity, nothing man has or can do will make a difference in eternal suffering. It takes God to perform these miracles. Only God.

Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

I was broken and now I am whole. I was an addict, now I am free. I was lost, now I am found. I was in turmoil, now I have peace. None of it came by human effort. God rendered a new man in me when I was helpless to help myself.

That is comforting to me. God kept His promise declared in Isaiah 53. Because Jesus Christ is God incarnate, He did this, I am comforted that all the promises He has made will come true. I did not believe because of fear of judgment and punishment. I took the offered hand of love and mercy and He took me in when I was lost and hurting. He healed me. He saved me.

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Now that is comforting.