Still Trying Hard “Not to Sin”?
John writes the “Greatest Secret” to Overcoming Sin.
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybodydoes sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2
He tells us “How To Not Sin”: Remember Jesus Christ every time we “Do Sin.”
Kind of “Oxy-moronic” right? At first glance, it doesn’t really make sense. But here’s a story of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco that will help us understand.
First, we need to understand how dangerous it was for the workers who were working on this bridge. They had to walk on high towers and cables with severe weather condition in the San Francisco Bay. There was a continual fog that not only obscured their vision but also made the catwalks the workers had to walk on as “slippery as ice.” And the gusts of wind from the west coast (up to 70 mph) literally picked a man up and hurled him off the side of the bridge.
Off the record, it is said that many Chinese men sacrificed their lives on the construction of this bridge. Many were deathly afraid of getting up on the high towers and cables and this caused many to fall off, and at the same time delayed the construction process.
But then came along the “Safety Net.” It was designed by Joseph Strauss and is said to have been similar to that of a circus net. It cost over $130,000. This net was 10 feet wider than the bridge and extended additional 15 feet beyond the end of the road surface. And because of this “Safety Net,” Something Amazing Happened!
No longer was anyone afraid to fall off the side of the bridge. So they Stopped Falling Off!
Did you get this?
Because of the “security” they found in the “safety net,” workers stopped being scared and therefore did not fall off the bridge like they used to. The weathers conditions did not change. And the working conditions did not change. But one thing changed. And that was their mind-set. They weren’t Scared to fall off. So, they Stopped falling!
Ever since “The Fall” (when Adam & Eve sinned), we have been deathly scared to “Fall.” Then came along our “Safety Net,” Jesus Christ, and in Him we find the “One who speaks to the Father in our defense” and “One who is our Atoning Sacrifice!” As we saw in our story, when they were “scared” and “tried not to fall” they Fell Off! But when they “stopped being scared” and “focused on working” due to the “Safety Net” below, they Stopped Falling Off!
Same principle works with us!
When we remember Jesus Christ, Our Safety Net, we “stop trying not to sin” and start focusing on living a life in the Spirit! And we get busy in bearing much fruit in the Spirit! But when we “try hard not to sin” by our determination and willpower, we find ourselves sinning and sinning some more and then finally, not caring anymore. And we get busy “pleasur-izing” ourselves and “numb” ourselves by “intoxicating” & “amusing” ourselves with the pleasures of sin and become a slave of sin!
So the secret of not sinning: Remember Jesus Christ, our safety net, and focus on living the abundant life in the Spirit!
Pastor Justin Yang is the pastor of Atlanta Korean SDA Church.