More on Sin and Living a Godly Life

I just came across an excellent post over at Mrs. Jo's blog, The King's Missus. She includes in this post a list of questions that we all as Christians should be thinking about. I know that way too often I am quick to forget about the times when I sin. This list really helps me to refocus my life on God and what it means to be a godly woman.

"You Never Let Go"

This is one of my favorite songs. I heard it for the first time last year at a Christian fellowship meeting at my college and it really moved me. Matt Redman is the artist.

What is Sin?

Something I've been struggling with lately is where to draw the line between wanting to follow Christ and strive to exemplify him through my actions versus becoming way too worked up over setting out strict rules for myself and losing sight of Christ's true message: the fact that all of us are sinners and we all need His gift of salvation.

How do I know whether I'm sinning or not? I know it sounds like a stupid question, but it's one that I've been thinking a lot about lately. For example, is it a sin to watch T.V. shows such as Friends that include a lot of references that glorify things like premarital sex? I think the show is funny, but should I feel bad about watching it? What about if I don't take care of my body properly (e.g. not eating enough or eating too much, eating too much junk food) for a day? Should I ask for God's forgiveness? I know that the Bible says something about our bodies being temples, so does this mean that I am dishonoring God if I don't take care of my body?

What about when I am jealous of someone? Does that require me to ask for God's forgiveness?

When I think of sinning in this light, it seems like I am constantly messing up and that I constantly have to ask for God's forgiveness. Which I guess is normal since I am human and everyone messes up. But, how can I possibly improve? It feels overwhelming to think of all the mistakes I make every day. I want to be more like Christ, but I have so, so far to go.

Can I Find Answers in the Bible?

I know to most Christians, it's a silly question. As I learned in Sunday School from a young age, the Bible contains valuable advice about how God wants us as Christians to live our lives. The Bible, in essence, is a way that God communicates with us. But I have always had trouble understanding how a book so old could provide relevant information to me.

I've tried to read my Bible more regularly in the past, but inevitably I get frustrated and start feeling like it's the same old stories. So, this time, I want to try reading a part of the Bible that I've never really heard a lot about - the New Testament, more specifically Paul's letters to the church.

Tonight, I opened up to Galatians, Chapter One. Just reading verses six through ten, I can see a message, something that I, woefully uneducated in Bible studying, can understand. Paul talks in these verses about accepting no other gospel. To me, this has special meaning. I've noticed how easy it is for me to begin to doubt my own convictions and to begin to wonder whether God really exists. There are so many "religious books" out there competing for our attention. Just a simple trip to the bookstore reveals countless books about religion, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and New Age philosophy. It is so easy, for me at least, to quickly become confused about whom and what to trust. Even books that are touted as being "Christian" books often don't have sound Biblical foundations. Reading Paul's message about trusting no other gospel than the one given to us by God and Jesus reminds me that I shoud be turning back to the Bible when I am confused, looking for answers in that text, instead of flipping through other works that are merely human interpretations and that can, in fact, be flawed.

I also like how Paul draws a distinction between seeking the approval of man and seeking the approval of God. For me, choosing to follow Jesus means that I often am going to have to go against the common trends in the culture. As Paul says, if I want to be a "servant of Christ," then I cannot put my focus on pleasing man.

I think that I have made progress in terms of embracing my faith and not being ashamed of it and feeling like it is something that I have to hide, but I know that I still have a ways to go. Too often, I feel that I cannot express a love for Christ because other people might not approve. But Paul's words have filled me with more conviction that I have to choose to please Christ or please man. I hope that I can continue focusing on pleasing Christ through my actions and words as opposed to trying to conform to the rest of the culture.

Is It God?

Something that I struggle with is doubting whether God is actually working in my life or if I am just imagining things. When I pray, does God really answer my prayers or is it just a coincidence if something good comes of my prayers? I know what the right answer is, the answer that a faithful Christian would give, but there is still that nagging doubt within me. I want so badly to be able to completely trust God, to be able to see God as my Heavenly Father who is watching over me, but how much control does God really have? How much can he really make a difference in my life?

There have been several instances where it seems my prayer has been answered but I still wonder if God is really answering my prayer or if it is just a nice coincidence.

For example:

• Tonight, I had to go pick up my new key for my room since my roommate had the locks changed. I went to the housing division office, but it was closed for the night. It was freezing outside and it was very dark. I was on the verge of tears because I had to get my new key, but I didn't know where to go for it. I prayed desperately to God that He would help me find the place. After asking someone walking around for help I finally managed to find the office where my key was waiting. Was that God helping me or was it just my good fortune that I was able to find the office?
• A few months ago, I met someone who has become one of my closest and dearest friends. She completely understands me and I know that I can turn to her whenever I need someone to talk to. She has also been a wonderful Christian mentor for me and has shown me how to have a closer relationship with God. Is that God working in my life? Did he lead this wonderful friend into my life?

Is my imagination just on overdrive? How do you know that God is really there?