Wall of Sin

While the subject of sin my seem a bit off topic from that of career management, it does in fact play a major role. Fear remains at the top of the list of reasons we don't succeed, but guilt, for the Christian, runs a close second.

Why?

Simply stated, we often don't achieve great heights because we don't feel as though we deserve them. The problem, for the Christian, is with sin. Yes, we commit them. That's why we need Christ. Unfortunately, few Christians have come to the point where they understand that guilt is actually worse than the sin itself. By living with guilt, you're saying, "I'm not truly covered by the blood of Christ, surely I should punish myself for my sin."

The result of this guilt is a wall between us and our goals. This wall is not built by God to punish us for our sin, but it is built by our own hands, brick by brick. We're all familiar with the analogy of the "sin wall" that separate the non-believer from God. And the destruction of that wall once the man falls to his knees and accepts Christ as Lord. The effect is immediate and irreversible.

So why is it we can't accept the same forgiveness once we've come into a relationship with Christ?

Some will say it's Satan or his demons that whisper lies to you, making you feel unworthy. However, I don't think Satan needs to work that hard. Like the twelve apostles, we are plagued with just a hint of doubt, even as we sit at the feet of the Master. That doubt, not in His deity, but in our own salvation, is what allows that guilt to gain a foothold in our minds and keeps us from the benefits of salvation.

A certain man took a job with the company of his dreams. He'd finally arrived, the pinnacle of his new career. The company has the greatest benefits known to the business world. Great health care (with vision!), lots of vacation, annual bonuses, the works.

On the man's third day on the job he makes a mistake that will result in a project running late. The man realizes his mistake, does the right thing and goes to tell his boss. The boss gives him the usual lecture on attention to detail, then tells him to go back to work, put it behind him. However, our man still can't shake the guilt of his mistake, so he tells his boss that he'd like to forego his medical benefits.

Ridiculous? Absolutely.

That is, in fact, exactly what we do when we allow our sin guilt to stand in our way. In the parable above, the boss would have told his new employee that he wouldn't allow him to forego his benefits. That is what God will tell us as well. He will not keep the joy of salvation from us or the fullness of life that He has planned for us.

The only one who will prevent you from reaping the benefits is you. You know the benefits are there for the taking, but you decide not to file the claim, because you don't feel that you deserve them.

When you sin, and we all do, your first step is to do as the man in the parable did. Go to your Father in Heaven and confess your sin. Sound familiar? If it doesn't, get into your Bible. Your Father will forgive you. Don't insult Him by saying you'd still like to impose your own punishment.

It's done. The record is wiped clean again. And again and again. As often as is necessary.

Your mindset should be as if you'd never committed the sin in the first place. You are made righteous in His blood. Will you let His suffering and sacrifice be forgotten because you can't push past your own sin? Put it all at the altar and turn away, face toward your life in Christ, not a life wallowing in guilt.

Once the wall is down, your goals are there, waiting for you to simply reach out and take them. This is the life Christ wants for you. Don't settle for anything less.