Oh that ugly sin..

This week, the power and weight of sin have been heavy on my shoulders for really no apparent reason and not in a particularly terrible way either. Rather I have been realizing the control it can have over my life and how I simply let it many times. I have been reflecting a lot on this apathy towards sin in my life. How often at the end of the day am I able to look back and think of the multitude of sins I am responsible for? It's pretty easy to think of them in general but can I pick each and everyone out? Do I recognize it the second it is committed and if not, why don't I? How am I not recognizing the breaking of God's heart in this? Or have I just become immune to certain sins? Have I blamed it on being 'human' and using this as my alibi to get away with it? I am of flesh and blood yet beauty and spirit because of the Spirit of God that dwells in me.
"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." -Romans 6:12-14 (however the proceeding eleven verses are highly suggested too).
 I challenge you to look into and dwell in the sin in your life for awhile. No, please don't live the sin in your life but take a close look at it. Ask yourself the hard questions. What is sin? Where does it come from? Is there a pattern? Are you falling into the same traps? I believe we cannot fully experience the power of being set free by grace if we don't recognize the gravity of sin in our own lives and the hold it puts on us. 
"Prepare your minds for action, and be sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written 'You shall be holy, for I am holy." -1 Peter 1:13-16
Friends, if you have looked wholeheartedly at the sin in your life, you will not be okay with it. One cannot have a prepared and sober-mind while being stuck in the 'passions of your former ignorance.' My prayer for myself and you is explicitly stated in this passage, that you may be able to set your hope fully on the grace that is brought through the revelation of Jesus Christ. May sin no longer have dominion over you but rather live a life of freedom and holiness, throwing away all forms of earthly pursuits and passions. 

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