“I’m just not feeling fulfilled in my Christian walk.”
“I don’t really hear from God like others talk about.”
“I am not getting much joy out of following Christ.”
I’ve heard these statements and others over the years and as I reflect on the reasons people do not find joy in Christ, I am reminded of something I learned in math class.
What does math class have to do with the Christian walk you might ask? My mind goes back to “If – Then” statements of deductive reasoning
IF-THEN STATEMENT – Deductive Reasoning
When we previously discussed inductive reasoning we based our reasoning on examples and on data from earlier events. If we instead use facts, rules and definitions then it’s called deductive reasoning.
We will explain this by using an example.
If you get good grades then you will get into a good college.
The part after the “if”: you get good grades – is called a hypotheses and the part after the “then” – you will get into a good college – is called a conclusion.
Hypotheses followed by a conclusion is called an If-then statement or a conditional statement. Excerpt from mathplanet.com
John uses many “if –then” statements in his writings. I was reading through chapters one and two of 1 John the other morning and came upon several statements that can bring life, and joy to us as we follow after Christ.
Notice that “if-then” statements are built on facts…we can call them truths. Let’s look at some truths John writes about.
1 John 1:8-10 ; 2:1-5
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
Statements:
If I say I don’t sin, then I deceive myself and I don’t abide in truth.
Often we are not willing to call sin what it is. Even after reading God’s Word (truth we can stand on) we “opt out” of His instruction. This produces shifting sand and a weak foundation for living. Is there sin in your life you have made excuses for instead of confessing?
If I confess the sin in my heart and life, then God will forgive my sin and cleanse me from sin.
This promise of God was made possible by Christ’s death and victory over the sins of all the world – past, present and future. This is a great VICTORY and reason to celebrate. But we cannot celebrate the work of Christ if we are not willing to acknowledge the sin in our own lives.
If I say I am not a sinner, then I make God a liar because He has said all have sinned.
It would sound foolish to say, as a Christian, “I am not a sinner.” And yet, we condone sin that He has pointed out in scripture. We protect and justify the sins that we desire instead of confessing them and asking God to help us turn away from them.
If I say “I know Him” and yet, I don’t keep His commandments, then I am a liar and I don’t live in the truth.
God has made a way for us to live in abundance and find victory over sin. Spend time in His Word and let it transform you from the inside out. David knew the benefit of meditating on God’s Word.
Psalm 119:9-16
9. How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word.
10. I have tried hard to find you—
don’t let me wander from your commands.
11. I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12. I praise you, O Lord;
teach me your decrees.
13. I have recited aloud
all the regulations you have given us.
14. I have rejoiced in your laws
as much as in riches.
15. I will study your commandments
and reflect on your ways.
16. I will delight in your decrees
and not forget your word.
If I keep His Word, then God’s love will be perfected in me.
If I abide in the truth, then my life will imitate the life of Christ. I will walk like Him. I will look like Him.
One of our greatest obstacles to freedom and joy in Christ is to neglect the reality of our brokenness and sin. We often are not willing to confess our sins to the Lord. But upon acknowledging our sinfulness, we find AMAZINGLY GOOD NEWS! He cleanses us and brings us into right relationship with Him.
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Isaiah 43:25
The abundant life of the believer is fueled by the understanding of the wreck that we are and our remedy in Christ.
So what will you do today? Deal with sin. Confess it. And allow God’s forgiveness and cleansing fuel your life today!
