Renewal and Grace
There has never been a time in our lives when we have not been faced with sin. From birth to now, our lives reflect some form of disobedience at its core, a direct opposition to God and His Word. It would be easier to say that this sinful nature was chosen for us, or more accurately, to say that we humans just love sin. Why? Because it feels good, looks appealing, brings more excitement, and seems everlasting. It is this very tendency that highlights our inadequate nature in choosing evil over good. However, it is also through this very tendency that God reveals His character of mercy that draws us closer to him.
I am reminded of many believers in the Bible who, though their deeds seemed good, failed miserably time and time again due to sin. Paul writes that it was like a thorn in his flesh that even when he wanted to do good, it was evil that he kept doing. In the same way, David who cried out mercy for his soul, pleaded with God to cleanse him from his sin and wash him clean. Or Peter, who had seen the works of Jesus firsthand and walked closely with Him as a disciple and friend yet denied ever knowing Jesus not once but three times.
Time and again, our sin chases us down, finds us, and consumes us until we are overcome. Each new day presents the weakness of the flesh which tempts us to go against God's laws and separate us from Him. Sin is like a ravaging beast that sifts us, desires us, and hungers to devour our souls. It roars loudly, relentless in its pursuit, pushing us farther and farther away from God. This can show up in our actions, attitudes, and thoughts, causing destruction to every area of our lives. We are constantly confronted with the reality of sin. At the core of sin, the heart of mankind is revealed, desperately wicked above all else.
But God, who is both merciful and gracious, reminds us of His Son Jesus. Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed (Romans 3:25). When Jesus died on the cross, our sins were forgiven. There is no longer a record of our sins held by God. We are no longer enslaved by the bondage of our sinful nature. On the very day Jesus took upon Himself our transgressions, He opened the way for us to be reconciled with God.
So, how does sin draw us closer to God now that Jesus has overcome it? God uses even our weaknesses, those things that pull us away from Him, to draw us nearer. He turns our failures into pathways back to His love, transforming our weaknesses into opportunities for renewal and grace.
This reminds another story in the Bible where the Israelites had sinned against God, and he sent snakes that bit them in the wilderness. After repenting, God then instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. When the people looked up at the bronze serpent, they would be healed and saved from the snake bites. Isn't it wild that God told the people to look at the very thing that was causing them harm? I believe He did this for a few reasons, but especially to show us today that He can transform what was meant to harm us (Sin) into a means of life and healing. God can still use anything that tries to hurt, entangle, or devour us, in order for us to experience salvation and renewal.