Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.                                                                                                          

                                                                                         Proverbs 26:11 

Today: Read Proverbs 26

It’s a problem that has plagued Christian men and women of every generation. The cycle of: sin, feelings of guilt, confess, repent, sin again, feelings of guilt, confess, repent (this time for good), sin yet again, feelings of guilt, confess, repent (I mean it this time), and on and on. Take a survey of Christians in any circle and you will find that this cycle is not that uncommon. I’ve lived it myself. There is nothing that brings glory to God when we pretend to be what we are not. I’ve been in leadership positions and I’ve been a layperson, but to say that I haven’t dealt with sin would be nothing short of dishonest and insincere. Over the years, I have dealt with lust, doubt, selfishness, anger, and frustration just to name a few. If I were to sum up the theme of my life, it would be, “How have I failed thee, let me count the ways.”

So why do we have such a hard time admitting that we are as human as the next person? I believe it is in part to our misguided belief that somehow the Christian life is centered on how we live rather than on the finished work of Jesus. When we fall into this trap of being self-focused rather than Christ-focused, we set ourselves up for failure, disappointment, and despair. The theme of love, redemption, and forgiveness are replaced with guilt, shame, and fear. And what happens to human beings who are entrenched in a mindset of self-deprecation and self-hatred? They will return to the very destructive habits and behaviors that put them there in the first place. Our passage today speaks of a person returning to sin much like a dog returns to its vomit by continually repeating the same sin over and over again. If we find ourselves in this destructive and frustrating cycle and would like to break free, I would like to suggest three things.

(1) Be Regenerated

Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

                                                                                                            John 3:3 

Jesus made it very clear that a person must be born again in order to see the kingdom of heaven. This “born again” experience or spiritual rebirth is commonly referred to as regeneration. This is the beginning of the Christian life and it happens in a moment. It’s not a long drawn out process rather it is a spiritual transaction between God (the Giver) and the believer (the recipient). That is why no one other than God and the believer is qualified to determine whether or not this regeneration has taken place. But there are outward signs that it has. If a person lives in a continual state of habitual sin without the slightest concern or remorse for his/her actions, then it would be sensible to assume that this person has not been born again. They may consider themselves to be a “good” person or they might be very religious, but the recognition of sin and the desire to deal with it only comes from the regenerated. Jesus spoke similar words when He spoke these words: 

And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

                                                                                                   Matthew 18:2-3 

The word “converted” can be defined as “to turn around”, the concept of repentance (to change one’s mind). But notice the context, Jesus uses an actual child to illustrate the truth that even as adults, we must be converted and become like children. If not, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus is not teaching us to be childish rather we are to live in a child-like faith in Jesus. Have you ever observed the mental and emotional state of children? In a normal circumstance, children do not fret over eternity. For those raised in a Christian home, they go to church and sing songs such as, “Jesus loves me.” To be converted and to become like a child is to have a simple trust in Jesus for our salvation and spiritual wellbeing. Unfortunately, as adults, we often muddy the waters and complicate things. But Jesus’ teaching is clear. We must be born again in order to see the kingdom of heaven. Religious ritual or determination to be a “better person” will not replace the life changing power of regeneration.

(2) Rely On The Finished Work Of Christ By Faith

In what or in whom do you rely for your entrance into heaven? These last two points are for those who are already regenerated. The answer to the above question for all believers should be that we are relying on the finished work of Jesus on the cross as our means by which God will receive us. Here is where I believe many believers get derailed in their faith. I cannot overstate the importance of understanding the clear, biblical teaching on what is required of an individual to be saved. It is by faith in Jesus and His obedience that gives us the power to say “no” to sin. Consider the following:

..for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 

                                                                                                                 Romans 10:10 

The word “believe” derives from the same root for “faith” and is used no less than 450 times in the New Testament. This faith (which means trust) in Jesus results in our receiving His righteousness and it is our confession of this reality that brings about our salvation. There is no mention of works here for the reason that works play absolutely no role in our salvation. When we believe and confess, we are made righteous and are saved. When we begin to move away from the simplicity of this truth, we bring into our lives demands, restrictions, and concerns none of which are consistent with the gospel. But there is more to faith than just salvation. There is also blessing for the one who will rest in these truths. Consider the following: 

But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, And whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.

                                                                                                                 Romans 4:5-8 

We are blessed apart from works. The opposite can also be said. When we bring works into the discussion of salvation, we move away from a state of blessing. Instead of working for our salvation (or to keep our salvation), we believe in Jesus and that faith is credited to our spiritual account as righteousness.

It seems illogical. You would think that if a group of people were placed under a set of demands accompanied by the fear that non-compliance to those demands would bring severe consequences that you would see more adherence and obedience. Likewise, you would think that telling people they are free in Christ would give rise to an increase in ungodly behavior on the part of those believers. Well, the exact opposite is true. When we are free in the knowledge that we are already heaven bound and that Jesus has provided everything that we need to be saved, justified, redeemed, restored, and forgiven, then sin is less likely to become a part of our lives, much less habitual sin. Conversely, seeking justification through law keeping breeds people who are much more likely to “give up” on the faith (because that is really not faith at all) because the expectations are more demanding than they can meet. If you are struggling with sin, rely on the finished work of Christ on the cross and watch the power of God strengthen you and guide you to a place of peace!

(3) Foster Your Relationship With Christ

Finally, God is after a relationship with us. When we focus on the justice of God without balancing that with the love of God, we are more likely to move into a more restrictive and damming doctrine. On the cross, the justice of God met the love of God. As we read scripture, we need to focus on what is the object of God’s love. God’s love is towards people, not behavior. He knew ahead of time that none of us would be able to meet the demands of the Law so He, in Christ, did for us what we could not and cannot do for ourselves. If you are approaching your Christian life as a daily exercise in law keeping then you have missed the power of the gospel. Instead, try fostering your relationship with Jesus. Here are two verses to assist you in that effort:

For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.

                                                                                                             John 6:40 

Would you believe that “beholding” Christ is defined as “to enjoy the presence of Him?” It means to “look upon” and “to enjoy His presence.” This is the foundation of the Christian life and Christian victory. The will of God is that everyone who enjoys the presence of Christ and believes in Him will have eternal life. And on that last day, we will be raised up from the dead just as Christ was. Can you see the security and rest that comes from this passage? Are you enjoying the presence of God and resting in Him? Consider the following: 

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

                                                                                                         1 John 4:18 

Is fear a part of your Christian experience? It shouldn’t be. Notice the four truths John reveals in his treatise on the love of God. First, there is no fear in love. Secondly, the perfect love of God casts out fear. Thirdly, fear involves punishment. There are Christians that live in a constant state of fear, believing that if they fail too much, God will punish them eternally. Lastly, if you fall into that last category of fearing punishment from God, you have not been perfected in the love of God.

We are to rest in the finished work of Christ on the cross. This rest will lead to confidence and assist in dispelling any fear. I encourage you to use these two passages, spending time with God and meditating on them as a means of fostering your relationship with Him. As you grow closer to Christ, sin will begin to fade into the woodwork.

Let me finish with an important note. While our salvation is secured by faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross, returning to sin over and over can cost us in this life. When we fall into sin, we can miss blessings, particularly in the area of service. God will only give responsibility to those whom He can trust. As believers, if we do not confront and deal with sin in our lives, we can miss out on opportunities that God seeks to give to us.

If you are caught in a cycle of sin, be regenerated, rely on the obedience of Jesus on the cross for your salvation, and foster a relationship by resting in Him. Just like a train that contains three cars: when faith is the engine, the cars of salvation and good works will follow!