How to Win Over Your Revolving Sin Struggle

Lately I’ve been pondering the idea that I need Jesus to save me every day.  This isn’t an internal debate over Calvinistic thought and Wesleyan thought.  It’s like my mind is a revolving door and the concept that Jesus is rescuing me keeps circulating powerfully through my mind.

When you hear the word salvation what images come to mind?  As a girl who grew up in Sunday School, my brain flashes pictures of Jesus on the cross, an empty tomb, the bowed head of a praying child, lots of really white snow, the Wordless book, and happy angelic smiles on everyone.

What is Salvation?

God’s Word is filled with verses that declare God’s salvation through Jesus.

”Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.  For God so loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Johan 3:14-17 CSB

“If you confess with our mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:9 CSB

“This Jesus is ‘the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:11 & 12 CSB

These verses are well-known to me. Their familiarity makes me wonder if I consider salvation too simplistically, too light heartedly, like a child happily playing in that revolving door.

My Declarations of Belief

The truth is simple. And wondrous. And hard. And complicated when selfishness pushes its way through the revolving door sending us spinning.  Amen?

We are Desperate for Salvation

I’m realizing lately I like to perceive and present myself as more angelic than I am.  I fear it is a common tendency for those of us who have mastered the art of “looking Christian.” God’s Word speaks directly to this misrepresentation.

“For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh.  For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it.  For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do.”

Romans 7: 18 & 19 CSB

Ouch.  That revolving door just swung around and swatted us good.

We All Struggle with Sin

Let’s be honest with each other.  I don’t like to admit where I struggle with sin.  My guess is you are no different.  So, let’s just lay some of these issues out on the table. This is who we are sometimes, but Jesus says we don’t have to be.  Careful, if you read the list honestly, your revolving door could start spinning a bit out of control.

• The sin of being fearful and anxious over what might happen to us or to someone we love. (Philippians 4:6-7)
• The sin of discontent and thinking we deserve more from life (Psalm 23)
• The sin of selfishness and making everything about “Me!” (Philippians 2:1-5)
• The sin of pride, thinking we are better than others, better than we really are. (Galatians 6:2-10)
• The sin of being untruthful, without integrity. The sin of lying, even “little white lies.” (Colossians 3:8-10)
• The sin of stubbornness; being unwilling to help others or unwilling to submit to another’s idea, need, or leadership. (1 Peter 5:5b-9)
• The sin of being judgmental or critical of how someone looks, or acts, or performs or where they live or … (John 8:2-11)
• The sin of having no self-control whether it shows up in purchases, or eating, or gossiping, or a myriad of other ways. (2 Timothy 1:7)
• The sin of idolatry, making something (like a job or a dream) or someone (like a spouse or a child) more important than serving and worshiping the King. (Colossians 3:5)
• The sin of disbelief; not believing God is who He says He is and will do all He promises.  (Hebrews 11:6)
• The sins of coveting and greed; assuming we deserve more than what we have or have achieved.  The belief that more is better and a sign of God’s blessing.  (Luke 12:31-21)

Are you dizzy?

God Alone is our Hope and Refuge

Thankfully, God’s Word provides a reprieve. Psalm 62 teaches us how to deal with the sin-struggles that revolve in and out of our lives.

“Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken, my salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before him. God is our refuge.” 

Psalm 62:5-8 CSB

I am grateful for God’s grace.  I am thankful for how it spins me out of sin and into His presence.  Some days I spend more time in the revolving door than I care to admit.  And God is always faithful.  He willingly rescues me when I come repentant and pouring out my heart to Him.

Jesus saves. Every day.

I pray you are discovering His grace for your need today.  I pray you find the courage to pour your heart out to God, again and again if need be.  I pray you will obediently trust Him, finding comfort in His refuge.  I pray you will give God thanks when the concept “Jesus wants to rescue me” revolves into your thinking.