The Transformative Power of Sin Redemption in Our Lives

Spring has officially burst into bloom here in the south; trees are green, pollen is everywhere (#iykyk), strong storms are whipping up, the river is flooding, the days are warm and the nights are cool. I love spring just like the new year; it is such a perfect metaphor for what we need in life. We need a renewal, a regrowth. We are stagnant and fatigued. We need life to burst forth in bloom from within.

We need to be redeemed.

What is it to be redeemed? To redeem means to be compensated for the bad aspects or faults of something. What is bad in our lives? I'm sure we could make a list, but to God, it's all wrapped up in one.

Sin.

It seems no matter anyone’s life circumstance, a renewal- redemption- would be life giving for all. What a perfect time for the Lenten season. Lent is the weeks leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is a time to reflect on the deep, troubling sin in the world and our own lives, and to see the need for a Savior. I honestly have never really intentionally focused on Lent. But this year, the Spirit was stirring inside me. He was saying, “Focus on me for this holy season.” 

It can feel….weird, to put it plainly, to really dig in to the sin that is in our life. As a people, we don’t like to think about what we are doing wrong, especially when culture might be encouraging it. It might bring shame, anger, resentment, or any other form of unpleasant emotion. And we also know that there will probably be something we have to do about it. That sounds REALLY unpleasant. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to confront unpleasant emotions or thoughts. It can be really easy to get extremely down. But that is where Jesus comes in.

He is our Sin Redeemer.

The One who is the compensation- the sacrifice- for our own sin. Without punishment or payment, our sins have been paid.

No matter how "big" or "little" the sin in your life, ALL sin is deserving of judgement, and will have judgement from God. And ALL sin separates us from Him. God is clear about sin.

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“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Matthew 5:21-22

 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:16-21

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

It is clear God knows and sees our sin. What do we do about it? Many times, people walk away, feeling far from God and unable to stand in his righteousness. Sometimes people think, ‘well, I’m still a good person overall.’ However, that still does not make us right before God.

The purpose of Lent is to help us understand God’s wrath for sin AND His deep love for us by planning to send a Savior. 

This year, I dove into Isaiah, the  prophet who tells about the coming of the Messiah. 

It is already God’s plan to save His people. 

And not just Israel. 

All people of the world. 

So as I read, it occurs to me how I simplify my sins. Getting angry, impatient, selfish, prideful; it’s all sin. And it deeply troubles the Lord. Yet my natural, fleshly expectation is to just enter His presence like always and accept His forgiveness freely, not flinching an eye with what He has done for me, or what my sin is doing to Him. I may not have committed serious crimes, but it is still sin. I need to understand that my sin still needs to be presented to God. I need to be specific. As He takes it for me, without shame, He slowly molds my heart. I am still human and will always have sin, but my acknowledgement of it and confessing to the Lord is how I become close to the Lord and He helps me grow. 

Isaiah is the book of great judgement, and then great comfort. God’s wrath for sin turns to His love and a rescue for His people. It can be overwhelming to read at times, but it really helped me to see His deep displeasure for all sin; the need for me to acknowledge it daily! Sin takes our focus away from Him. It entices us to take control when we have no control. It causes thoughts to arise that we can do it, when all God desires is for us to lean in to Him. The sins pile up, and suddenly we wonder why we’re so far away from God. It is not God abandoning us; it’s us turning from Him, one little step at a time.

Consciousness of sin brings us closer to the Lord. He mercifully allows us to enter His presence, forgives our sins, and guides us to make our lives right before Him. He disciplines us as a father would his child. 

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” Hebrews 12:5

God corrects us for our good, and for His glory. 

Their webs can’t be made into clothing, and nothing they do is productive. All their activity is filled with sin, and violence is their trademark. Isaiah 59:6

When we are wrapped up in sin, nothing we do is productive. We spin in circles, running a rat race trying to get ahead. We may feel like we accomplish something some days, but in the end, we are left empty, hollow, needing something more. That very space in your soul God created….for His Spirit. 

Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. Isaiah 59:1-2

Can you imagine God turning away? I cannot even fathom the idea. But because He is holy, He cannot and will not ignore sin. It separates us from Him, and a wall is built between us and Him. So this season, I let God talk to me softly about my own sins, my need to turn to Him daily, and allow His Spirit to move me to where I need to go spiritually. 

It is not always easy. And I always mess up. But having a deep sense of the grieving Spirit over my sins, and that it is because of His love and desire to have me with Him forever, has brought incredible peace to my spirit. Knowing that God may ask you to give something up can be overwhelming. But the same Spirit that raised Jesus from death is living in you (Romans 8:11), and can help you through this time. 

God asked me to give up drinking. I don’t think a glass of wine is a sin. But the whole bottle- and feeling it- is. I was terrified. I resisted. For quite a while. I was worried I wouldn’t be fun, that I would be a buzz-kill, that I (and others) wouldn’t like my true, sober, self. But I came to a point that I realized I was grieving the Spirit deeply, and that He could be asking me simply to help me take care of my body. So I stopped cold turkey. And besides for a few moments here and there, I don’t think about it at all. That is the power of God right there. Before, I would think about what time it was appropriate to pull out the wine glass. Can't be too early, then I’m a lush. But I craved it. Now, I’m finding the Lord as my satisfaction, and coming closer to Him through my obedience. He never punishes us as we deserve; He loves us and wants us to live full lives. 

Your requirements may not be so drastic. But the beauty of God living through our lives is that, over time, we are radically changed. Let the Spirit talk to you. When you feel tension, that is what God is asking you to do. Find the support you need through wise council, a pastor, a group of believers. It helps to have a sound board. 

Prepare for the Holy Week by a simple act of faith and obedience. I promise your life will not be the same…

In the best way.

Just as spring bursts forth with life, so will we.  Like the crocus, it (the redeemed)will burst into bloom; It will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. Isaiah 35: 2

Put it into practice:

Get in a quiet space. 

Open your heart to the Lord, praying over the things in your life you know as sin. 

Ask God to guide you in knowledge of other sins with which you need forgiveness.

If He asks you to do something (you feel tension in your gut), write it down. You don’t have to be rash and immediate. You can ask Him for guidance on the best way to move forward. 

I encourage you to read Isaiah. One or two chapters a day. It can be helpful to have a study book or a study bible.

Heavenly Father, 

I thank you for Your disciplining in our lives. It is there to help us grow, increase our faith in you, and guide us to live out for your purpose. Please forgive me… (be specific in what you can identify right now). I know You are leading me, You will guide me, and You will not leave me. Thank you for loving me, and for wanting to make me the best version of myself. In Jesus’ name I pray, 

Amen.

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I am not a Bible scholar or preacher, I am just a girl who loves Jesus. This is my interpretation of things I have learned. I hope it can encourage you and lead you to the bible to see the truth for yourself. :-)