Are there any so-called acceptable sins that you have been guilty of putting up with in your own life?

Are you ready to confront the truth about yourself and allow God to continue the refining work that he wants to do in your life? Are you willing to admit that all sin is serious because sin is breaking God’s law?

Let that sink in for a minute. “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4)

All sin, even that sin that we perceive to be a minor sin, is lawlessness. We sometimes fail to see or understand the magnitude of our sin. When we gossip, lust, lie, cheat or steal, there is a sinful pleasure we get out of it.

That’s because, in that moment, the lure of that momentary pleasure is stronger than our desire to please God. There are no subtle or acceptable sins in God’s eyes. God hates all sin. All sin is serious in God’s eyes.

God hates our religious pride. He hates our critical attitudes. He hates our impatience. He hates our arrogance. He hates our unkind words. He hates our anger. The list could go on and on.

We need to be brought face to face with the ugliness of sin and the fact God wants to do a transforming work in our lives. He wants to shape us and mold us into the image of his son. He wants us to be like Jesus. He wants us to be holy.

The fact that we all have areas of our lives that need attention should not cause us to want to throw in the towel and give up on God’s goal for us.

Instead, it should cause us to acknowledge the truth about ourselves and be willing to tap into the power that is ours in Jesus Christ.

“God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams. He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his spirit deeply and gently within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)

Think about that. God can do anything. Do you believe that? Paul said it is even bigger than that. God can do even more than you could ever ask, imagine or dream. But it is even bigger than that.

He can do far more than you have ever asked, imagined or dreamed. That means God can help us live the holy life he has called us to live.

You may read Steve Greene’s blog at pastorgreene.wordpress.com or you can email him at [email protected].