Sin—the thing that binds us, destroys us, fools us. And yet how often do we partake? Why is it that our convictions disappear in the face of temptation or pressure?

Hypocrite.

No one wants that label. But then why do we claim the moral high ground with our tongue and then contradict ourselves by our actions.

Two-faced.

Why do we feed ourselves excuses for our behavior we know is wrong? Everyone watches this. It’s not that bad. It’s just a joke. There are so many things worse than this.

Excuses, excuses, excuses.

If we aren’t careful we will believe them. Why do we fool ourselves? Sin is sin. It is despicable to a holy God.

If we claim to be a Christ follower, our actions should reflect the goodness and purity of our God. Yes! We are to reflect His pure, unadulterated, spotless holiness.

“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”

1 Peter 1:15-16

Yet, we fall; I fall. We need the courage to enact our convictions in this sinful and self-promoting world. What good do we do Christ, or ourselves for that matter, if our actions do not differentiate from unbelievers?

We know the truth. We have the truth. What a wonderful blessing it is! So, why don’t we act on the truth?

Paul identifies with our struggle.

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”

Romans 7:15

We are all imperfect human beings in a fallen world. When we do things in our own power we fail—continuously. But we do not have to be confined to this system of failure.

We all undergo a process of sanctification as the Holy Spirit works in us and makes us more like Christ. None of us will experience complete freedom from temptation and sin until heaven. Still, ought we to continue in our sin, claiming that our sinful nature is to blame?

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”

Romans 6:1-2

Heaven forbid we ignore the severity of our sin and put to shame the beauty of His grace.

I think if we all took a moment to evaluate our lives we should find places where our beliefs do not match our lifestyle. The jokes we laugh at or even say. The way we dress. The “entertainment” that we choose. The activities we participate in. The choices we make in the workplace or in our relationships.

If there are gaps between our convictions and our actions, then we need to ask ourselves why. Is it our longing to be accepted that is fueling this disconnect? Or is it a desire for control that is taking precedence over submitting to God?

If we soften our hearts, we can find forgiveness for our stubborn actions and the strength to follow God. He wants us. He wants us so much that He continually forgives the sin that He hates so much. We need only ask Him.

He is waiting to forgive you and empower you to start a new chapter in life—one identified by surrender and truth.

“Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life inChrist Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:19-23