Struggling With Sin

"Struggling with sin" is a phrase that is used rather lightly in many religious circles. What does it mean to "struggle" with something? The word "struggle" means to "fight against"; it means to "strive, put forth effort in order to not give in". It does not mean or imply that the one who is struggling is on the losing side of the struggle. And yet, many believers when they say that they are "struggling" with sin they mean that they are committing sin(s) even while trying not to. They mean that they have struggled and then they were defeated by sin. And so perhaps the word "defeated" rather than "struggling" more accurately describes such people. Sadly, many people accept such "struggling" (actually defeat) as a way of life. They have not truly struggled so hard that they have suffered any great deal striving with all their might not to give in to temptations (Heb. 12:4).

An example would be appropriate here. I have spoken with many young men who say that they "struggle with" lust. Actually, they mean that they fight against it a little, but end up giving in to their lusts. They claim that they are trying not to sin. (See the article, "I Try".) But in reality they watch commercials that promote lust; they watch movies and television programs that encourage lust; and they listen to music that contains all sorts of sexual lyrics. Can they actually say that they are trying to overcome lust? Will God believe them when they say that they tried? Make every effort to enter the kingdom of heaven through the narrow door, Jesus says, because many will simply try but not be able to (Luke 13:24).

We are not saying that a Christian will have no struggles with temptation. We are saying that when a Christian is tempted, he must love God more than the temptation. Fighting against the temptation must be "worth it" because he would never want to do something to grieve God. A Christian desires to make sure that he is fully submitted to God to resist the temptation; the devil will then flee (James 4:7). For we are promised that no temptation will be too difficult for us because God himself will make a way for us to stand up under every temptation (1 Cor. 10:13). We may suffer or struggle and it may be difficult, but we can overcome. There is HOPE! Even Jesus suffered when he was tempted (Heb. 2:18). Remember the Garden of Gethsemane!Many people lose heart because they have "blown it" too many times. Put your faith in God! BELIEVE that you can and will overcome because of HIM. Don't rely on establishing a good "track record" before you have confidence. Believe today! Know that your belief entails a love affair with God--so much that you will do ANYTHING for him. But don't believe the lie that "struggling" is the same thing as "sinning". It is not true. Struggling against sin does not mean that you are displeasing God. Struggling against sin is one of the main evidences that you hate sin. So, struggle and be victorious through the glorious power of our great and mighty God.A wholehearted Christian is someone who struggles against sin and then gains the victory through Christ who gives him strength. Christians do struggle with sin...and then get the victory through faith. The "struggle" of the Christian is not a vicious cycle of try-fail, try-fail, try-fail,... No, the struggle of the Christian echoes the sorrowful, yet rejoicing cries of the Apostle Paul, "we faced trials far beyond our ability to endure" (2 Cor. 1:8); "God has delivered us and will continue to deliver us" (2 Cor. 1:10). "Now thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ" (2 Cor 2:14).Perhaps you are convicted by God. Perhaps there is sin in your life that you cannot seem to give up. Do not lose hope. (See the article, "If Any Man Sin".) Rather, repent and get rid of everything that hinders you (Heb. 12:1-2). Ask God to give you a revelation of the LOVE that he has for you. BELIEVE! Truly submit to God. Resist the devil and do not give your temptations a foothold.

I TRY

While witnessing to people and open-air preaching and handing out tracts, many people ignore us or mock us. Some people tell us that they already know about God. These people said that they already went to church and that they were "fine." We have asked such people if they obey God. Their reply was usually, "I try" or "sometimes." We also often asked them if they still continued to sin (1 John 3:6, 9) and their reply was quite similar: "I try not to, but of course everyone sins." These people who said that they were "fine" did not really have much evidence for being "fine" in God's sight. In fact, the best reason that they had for the hope the was supposedly in them was their church attendance. They obeyed God sometimes and resisted sin sometimes...but is this what a Christian life is like? Do Christians obey their LORD sometimes? Do they still do the devil's work sometimes? No, this is not the fruit that identifies a Christian. Since we encountered many people who seemed to have a false hope that they would be saved, the Lord led me to write to you about "trying" to please God vs. actually pleasing Him."Someone asked him [Jesus], 'Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?' He said to them, 'Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to...you will stand outside knocking and pleading, "Sir, open the door for us."...But he will reply, "I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!"'" (see Luke 13:23-27).Jesus said that many people will try to enter the Kingdom of Heaven but will not make it. They will "try." They will not be able to enter, however, because they were "evildoers."Some will say, "But I just can't help but sin." The Word of God says to you: "In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your own blood" (Heb. 12:4). How hard do you really struggle against sin? Don't tell God that you can't have pure thoughts, but then you watch all kinds of impure television programs. Don't tell God that you can't help but lust, but then you listen to all kinds of music that promotes lust. Don't tell God that you just can't help but sin when he tells you that "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him" (2 Peter 1:3). It is God's power that gives us the ability to please him, but you need to struggle and strive with his power working in you (Col. 1:29). This is why in Luke 13:23-27 that Jesus told his listeners to "Make every effort." This is not a game. Don't just "try", make every effort. Be diligent. Find others who are diligent. Labor together out of love for your King. Exhort one another DAILY so that you aren't hardened by sin (Heb. 3:13). Take this seriously!Some of you might say that God is all-forgiving so he will forgive you when you keep on sinning against him. Look at your own attitude toward sin! Some of you think that because you call Jesus "Lord" and have acknowledged him as "the Savior" that this will allow you to keep on sinning, but still be forgiven. But Jesus said, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46). You might feel "safe" because you supposedly know the truth. However, the Bible says that if you persist in going your own way, God will never be willing to forgive you even if you feel safe now (Deut. 29:19-20). Jesus came to destroy sin, the works of the devil, so don't fool yourself.I don't want any of you to find yourself standing before God saying, "Well, Lord, I tried to obey you." He may very well say to you, "If you really tried, then why didn't you obey me; I gave you everything you needed; you could have done all things through Christ, but since you continued to do evil...Away from me, you evildoer!" Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father" (Matt. 7:21). Only those who do the will of God (not those who try to do the will of God) will enter the kingdom of heaven. "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised" (Heb. 10:36). So my question to you today is: Do you obey God or do you merely try to obey God?"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:9-11). From web site: "Obey God"

Beaches and Birthdays

The weekend of July 24-27 I went with Karen and Katharine to Nags Head. Katharine's four youngest boys went with us. (Julius [17] is in Israel for four weeks; Luke [16] is in Washington State with relatives until school starts again.) So Joseph [15], James [14], Jeremiah [8], and Kevin [6] were with us. We drove down Friday after work (the three of us work in the same office, plus we go to the same church, so we’ve got a lot in common). We stopped at “The Border” for a bite of supper – the boys had fun standing with one foot in Virginia and one foot in North Carolina. I had left my camera in the car, so I didn’t get any pix. I thought maybe we’d stop again on our way home and I’d take pix then, but plans changed. We got to the beach house (which isn’t on the beach) around 9:00 – after stopping at WalMart so Katharine could get a pair of flip flops for Kevin as he had only brought dress shoes with him. K We unloaded the cars, made up our beds, and were in bed by 10:30 or so. Karen had told me the bed I was to have has a rather hard mattress, so I took my Aero Bed along. Joseph helped me take the mattress off the bed and stand it against the wall. Then I filled the Aero Bed and put it on top of the box spring. That made the bed rather high for me to get into and out of, but by the time the weekend was over I had my entrances and exits down pat!!

Saturday morning after a leisurely breakfast, Karen took the boys to one of the beaches. I had my computer with me so I worked on my Xanga post, then did some database work while Katharine had a couple hours of private time with the Lord. When Karen and the boys got back, Katharine expressed a desire to go out for dinner as an adult with adult fellowship and at a nice restaurant. So we got supper on for the boys – hot dogs, I think but I rather forget now! Then we “girls” went to the Fish and Fin for a lovely dinner. Entrée’s were $25.00 to $30.00. The portions were plentiful, the food was delicious, and the company was entertaining! We laughed, told stories, and shared our thoughts. People at the table next to us were listening in and laughed along with us at some of the things we shared – especially when Katharine and I told Karen of our trip to Lancaster, PA, with my sister and another friend to see a couple Sight and Sound shows and tour Lancaster County. That was a fun trip!!

Back with the boys, James decided he was ready for a hair cut. Quite a few of us had been after him to get it cut, but he really didn’t want to spend the money to get it done. He said he was planning to go see if Ms. Jessica (my niece-in-law) would do it for him because she didn’t charge the last time. Karen said she’d gladly do it, that she has cut men’s hair before. So he finally decided he’d let her do it. We were all quite impressed with the results and told him many times how much we enjoyed being able to see his handsome face again!

I think we watched a video after, but I forget which one.

Sunday morning we all slept in quite late. Around 11:00 Katharine took the boys to do some mini-golfing. She had her quiet time in the van while waiting for them to have their hour or more of fun. Karen and I stayed at the beach house – Karen had her quiet time in her room and I in mine. After they all got back we had some lunch, then loaded the car and truck with snacks and swimming paraphernalia and went to one of the beaches nearby. The winds were fairly gusty and the waves were rather high – plus I found the water too cold for my liking! So the boys played in the water and we “girls” sat on blankets and beach chairs watching the boys and visiting. We were only there an hour or two before deciding to take the two younger boys and go back to the beach house – the blowing sand was biting our skin and not real pleasant. Joseph and James were okay alone until Karen got back to get them. We got the little boys bathed, then Katharine and I showered. I drove to Food Lion to get some extra things for dinner – corn on the cob, ice cream, fresh fruit, water, etc. After dinner and dishes we watched “Luther” – the story of Martin Luther. I thought I had seen it before, but after we got into it I realized I hadn’t. It’s very good. After everyone went to bed Joseph finished watching “Seabiscuit.” I watched part of it with him, but I’ve seen it a couple times. I think Sean gave it to me for my birthday one year.

Monday we cleaned the beach house, washed and dried linens so they’ll be fresh for the next guests (the beach house belongs to Karen’s mom, so she knew all the little details that needed to be taken care of.) Then Katharine and James went thrift store shopping. When they got back it was decided we would go to the Wright Brothers Museum, then come back for a quick bite of dinner before heading home. I really didn’t want to get home that late, so Joseph and James ended up flipping a coin to see which of them would ride home with me early. Karen, Katharine, and the rest would come later. We left around 3:00. Ran into some really heavy thunder/lightning/rain storms on the way home. The first one was before we even got out of North Carolina. Things weren’t bad going through the Hampton Tunnel, but eastbound traffic was slow and go. After we got to Norfolk though, we ran into another storm and traffic was slow and go all the way to Williamsburg. It was good traveling from W’burg to Richmond. I stopped at McDonald’s for Joseph to get a hamburger and drink before dropping him off at their apartment. I stopped at Ukrop’s to get some supplies for myself before finishing the trip. I was home by 7:00. Katharine called Joseph while we were still on the road to tell him they had decided to stay the night yet and leave around 5:00 Tuesday morning – so I was really glad I had left early.

The next week was the usual quietly busy at work. I sent off several email blasts, Worked on cleaning up some databases, etc. John got home late Saturday afternoon. Sean came home with us Sunday after church and I fixed a birthday dinner for John – corn on the cob, new potatoes, creamed cucumber salad, applesauce, fresh Hanover tomatoes, and fresh bread. Dessert was fresh peach pie. I told Sean I was taking Dad to the Olive Garden for another birthday dinner on Tuesday, his actual birthday, did Sean want to join us. He declined, saying he had a community meeting to attend. I left it at that – if he hadn’t had a good reason I would have told him privately that I was inviting several other couples to surprise John as it was his REALLY BIG birthday! He turned 60!! And I can’t figure out where the years have gone – he was only 20 when we first met! Oh, dear. It seems like only a few years, but it’s really been a lifetime ago. That is so scary! But you know, God has been so good to us both over the years. We certainly are not what we were way back when. God has done so much in both of us, and He has blessed us both beyond our wildest dreams. He has proven His Word, “blessed is the man whose God is the Lord” and “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.”

So Tuesday, August 4th we met at Target and left John’s car there. I drove to the Olive Garden, knowing we were a bit early and if John was driving there was no way I could tell him to take his time without letting him know something was up. Chuck and Joyce passed us on Glenside – I saw them but John didn’t, and they didn’t see us. So I slowed down even more, trying to hit traffic lights red or amber rather than green! Then when we pulled into the driveway, John saw Mike and Carolyn walking to the door. He turned to me with a grin and said, “I have a feeling I’m being set up!” I said, “Really? But you don’t know WHO is involved, do you?” When we walked into the lobby there sat Mike and Carolyn and Kathy. Kathy was a surprise. Then Chuck and Joyce walked in and that was a surprise – except that he had suggested Sunday, “Why don’t we invite someone to join us Tuesday? Maybe Chuck and Joyce? They joined us last year.” I just said I’d think about it. Joyce had a “60th Birthday” balloon for him. Then after we had given our beverage requests to our server, Fred and Jo Ann arrived. So we had a lovely party of nine – just enough to have a nice celebration. I ordered a birthday cake and they brought it in with the usual LOUD hoopla! Everyone in the room clapped with us. Then when we left a couple young ladies at the table behind us wished John a happy birthday. He commented that it is his 60th as they could see by the balloon. One of the girls suggested that if he turned it upside down he could pretend he’s 9!!


Yesterday Sean came over to help John with some outside work. John can’t do any heavy lifting anymore as he’s done too much of that in the past and it hasn’t been good on his small frame. So they cut up some fallen trees, cut down some limbs that were getting in the way of other vegetation, mowed the bank and road edge, etc. I fixed another dinner for them – basically it was a ditto of Sunday’s dinner except for the cucumbers. Corn on the cob again because they both love it, it’s summer time, and the corn is good! Then we watched a 30 minute video Sean had rented from Netflix. “Night and Fog” is a 1955 documentary about the holocaust and is especially fitting for the things we are facing today. It’s a heart-wrenching video – difficult to watch, so 30 minutes was quite enough.

Today John left for Ontario right after church. He’ll be up there for one week, then home for two. Kathy and I went to Willow Lawn after church and had a yummy lunch at Panera Bread. Then we went to Ben Franklin's and I helped her pick out some yarn to knit a scarf. We've been having knitting classes every other Thursday night. We've decided to call ourselves the "Craft and Chat Guild" because some girls are learning to crochet, knit purses to felt, or just work on knitting projects that have been put on hold due to lack of time or interest. Kathy's been learning the basics of knitting and is now ready to start a project. I think this one will be really pretty when she's finished it.

Meanwhile – we’ve been adopted!! There’s been a stray, tame but very shy cat around for several months now. I’m not even sure when she first began hanging around, but we’ll see her sleeping behind the air conditioner, walking across the deck, etc. So I’ve begun feeding her, just to make sure she’s getting some good food. Sean would love to take her home with him, but he’s got two cats already and really doesn’t want to clean another litter box! But she is a pretty kitty. Sean thinks she’s probably two to three years old.

We've also had some strange things happening around here. Something -- and we can't figure out what -- has been bringing us offerings of gravel from the driveway. We keep finding several pieces of gravel on the ground beside the bottom step of the side deck and two or three pieces on the bottom step itself. At first I thought John was putting them there to keep his lawn mower from throwing them, but he's just as perplexed as I as to where they're coming from. I'll pick them all up and throw them out into the driveway and the next morning, there's the offering again. Most curious. Anyone have any suggestions??

So….that’s it for now. Blessings to all!