Many of us were taught or at least in some way we have come to understand that when we are living in or struggling with sin we will find ourselves farther from Christ then when we are when we “not sinning”. (I put that in quotes because I don’t think we are ever in a place of sinlessness)
I want to share that I believe that the idea of being farther from Christ is wrong, it is a guilt driven way of thinking that permeates a false idea of Christ love and his desire and way interacting with us. I was reading an article recently that was talking about this very idea and it has inspired me and spurred me into a new approach in my relationship with my Savior when I sin and find my self feeling so disgusted with my sin. Jesus said that he came to heal the sick.
Luke 5:31-32
Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."
Those that are sick, those that are struggling, those that are lost, these are the ones the Jesus came to engage with and came to visit. He came to heal. He didn’t come to just hang with the healthy but to seek those that are battling and caught in sin.
When we are battling in sin Jesus SEEKS us. He searches for us.
Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.
I have found when I am battling with sin I have a tendency to avoid contact with God. Some of it out of guilt and a feeling of unworthiness but as I think about it more it is more out of a sub-conscious belief that Jesus is disgusted with me and my sin and had put distance between us. That idea is in many ways enforced by our Christian Culture. But yet Jesus comes seeking those in that place of despair and those that are so lost.
Rom 8:38-9:1
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
When we sin we are convinced we are not deserving of love. But guess what, we are NEVER deserving of Christ’s love. Even in what we think are our greatest points of righteousness, we are still not worthy or deserving, we can’t earn his love. That is the power of Christ’s love. It seeks us when we would not seek it. He seeks us when we don’t deserve it. He even is pursing us more desperately when we are lost or struggling in sin. That is Christ’s love and passion of us. He came seeking healing, not seeking the healthy.
In your next struggle, battle or failure of sin be reminded with the truth, in that moment Jesus is seeking you and is coming to heal you. Instead of closing yourself off in guilt and despair invite Christ to join you in that moment. He is not disgusted with you. He is in LOVE with you. Return right then and seek him back. He is coming to heal and restore you….LET HIM!
