Psalm 44:18 English Standard Version (ESV) Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from your way;

We are free in Christ. We can choose to sin. When we do, we have turned our backs to Christ like a defiant child who says, “I’m not listening.” When we do we are not walking in His will. Any way you look at it the same result will surface itself. We are hurting ourselves by hurting the relationship.

Some choose to sin and say I am already forgiven. That sounds like hammering a nail in His hands or feet. Perhaps it is piercing His side. Maybe that image will make us stop and think about what we are about to do when tempted.

When we belong to Him the consequences of sin will always bring us to repentance. If it does not happen right away, the chastening will only get worse. He chastens those He loves. The only question left for the defiant child is how many stripes will it take to cause you to turn?

Blaming the One who chastens doesn’t work. We make wrong choices and we have to own up to the fact that we made those choices by free will. He does not remove free will because love has to be a choice.

Romans 6:12 English Standard Version (ESV) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.

We serve who we obey.

What does it take to not be one of those defiant children?

2 Thessalonians 3:3 English Standard Version (ESV) But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

A right handed quarter back is most effective in throwing the football with his left foot forward and planting his right foot to throw. That places his back to the left side of the formation where he cannot see a blitz coming. His left guard has his back.

At times this scripture feels that way, that Jesus has our back. It is not true. Not in the sense of what Jesus has done in us. He says first; “I have established you.” If we do not know that as a reality of this relationship we have with Christ, we will always be looking over our shoulder assuming we are under attack.

Being established in Christ means we are secure from the presence and internal attacks of Satan. Satan has no part in the conversations which occur in our minds. The devil did not make us do it, the devil did not whisper in our ear. We do it to ourselves because we have not grasped that we are eternally secure in Christ.

Our mind is still flesh and it is we ourselves that remember the old man, the bad behavior, even the emotions that were attached to those times. Being a new creation in Christ does not erase our past, it only gives us a new future. This is why Paul encouraged us to look forward, to look up, and to keep our eyes on the prize.

Philippians 4:8 English Standard Version (ESV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Do not allow the past to steal the future.