Psalm 103:11-13

Psalm 103

11 

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
 so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

12 

as far as the east is from the west,
 so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

13 

As a father shows compassion to his children,
 so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

If we have truly repented from our sin, God has removed it from us, as far from us as the east is from the west. If this is the case, why do so many of us live in bondage to our old sin?

I think some of us can’t let go of our sin because we are afraid. We fear God in an unhealthy way, and are afraid that we won’t measure up. Verse 13 says the Lord shows compassion to us just like a father does for his children. God is gracious and merciful according to this same chapter. God is not holding your sin against you, so why are you?

Some of us are actually afraid of the sin. We fear slipping up again. While this is healthy, it shouldn’t result in bondage to that sin. Instead, it should result in a strong prayer life, accountability, and clear boundaries that separate you from the situations that tempt you to sin.

Even more often, we are weighed down by guilt and regret. We look back at the things that we’ve done and wish they never happened. We wonder if God can use us with those things in our past. We fear that no one could ever love us if they truly knew everything about us and our sin.

God does want us to be broken by our sin; but this brokenness should lead us to repentance. Once we have repented, we must recognize that our sin has been covered by the blood of Christ, and is removed from us. If we live in fear or guilt, we are basically saying the Christ’s blood isn’t enough for us.

God wants us to hate sin so that we never return to it. He also wants us to use our experiences to help others. Instead of being weighed down by your mistakes, prayerfully seek others in situations similar to yours, and help them discover the love of the Savior.

1 Corinthians 15:56-57- The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amos 5:14-15- Seek good, and not evil,
that you may live;
and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. Hate evil, and love good,
    and establish justice in the gate...