Seven-Day Practical Faith Blog: Sin and the Forgiveness Cycle

When President Abraham Lincoln attended a church service in Washington, D.C., a reporter breathlessly ran up to him afterward. He asked Lincoln, "What was the sermon about?"

Lincoln replied, "Sin."

The reporter persisted. "What did the preacher say about sin?"

Lincoln answered, "He was against it."

I love Lincoln's straightforward answer. But the truth is, we humans have an interesting relationship with sin. If you asked us what would we say about sin, we would also answer that we are against it. But our actions don't always match our words.

We can all relate to Paul's lament about sin in Romans 7. I've excerpted verses 14-15, 17, 19, 21, and 24-25.

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. . .As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. . .For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. . .So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. . .What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Paul says our will is not enough, our knowledge of right and wrong is not enough, and our experience is not enough. None of those advantages stand up to the hostile nature of sin.

That's why we need a Savior, Jesus Christ.

That's why Jesus tells us not to judge others. We are sinful creatures without the right perspective to judge others; we each have enough sin struggles of our own.

That's why we need forgiveness from God, over and over and over in a forgiveness cycle. Jesus instructed Peter to forgive not seven times, but seventy-seven (or more, depending on the gospel writer). So, we know God forgives in the same way. We must regularly request and receive absolution and cleansing.

Once, when I was frustrated with my repeated failed attempts to live without sin, God gave me the image of taking a shower to wash myself clean. I bathe so my skin is clean. I ask for God to wash me so my sinful nature is cleansed.

Are we against sin? Most assuredly.

Do we still sin? Most assuredly.

Does God offer forgiveness and a fresh start, forgiving too many times to count? Most assuredly.

For a more in-depth look at God's love and forgiveness and how to live as a loved, forgiven person, please check out my Oasis Award-winning book and video series, "Live Like You're Loved." Visit CecilTaylorMinistries .com and click on "Books & Videos." It's also available from major booksellers.