Too often we keep dabbling in sin because we think there’s no harm in a dab of something. But this dabbling in sin keeps us from becoming Christ-like. One dab at a time we become what we worship, either lovers or enemies of God.
We don’t drift towards holiness (it’s always a choice) but, yes, we gravitate towards worldiness one dab at a time. Like D. A. Carlson has so powerfully said
“We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance;
we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom;
we drift toward superstition and call it faith.
We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation;
we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism;
we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated.”
You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.” (James 4: 4-16, MSG)
God does care how you live. God does care how you spend your time. God cares how you turn out. God cares about you. He wants to give you far better gifts than any dabbling in sin can ever give you. He wants to bless your socks off. Are you willing to quit dabbling in sin and receive what God has prepared for you?
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. (James 4: 4-10, MSG)
It’s time to turn back to God. We can’t purify our inner lives without God’s grace. But God’s grace is wild and far stronger than any sin. God’s grace empowers us to quit dabbling in sin. Yet we still need to choose God every day. Just like C.S. Lewis has said “Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.” But we can be certain that God receives us with open arms and will fill us with his holy power to live fully in his joy.
Gracious God,
Thank you for caring about us.
Thank you for wanting what’s good for us.
We turn back to you.
We choose holiness.
Empower us to quit dabbling in sin.
Fill us with your peace, love, and joy.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U: Are you tempted by dabbling in sin?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you turn back to God day after day!
Giving thanks today for
#971 God cares about each of us.
#972 God does not tolerate sin in any amount.
#973 God’s grace purifies us.
#974 God’s best for us is so much better than anything else.
#975 Because of Christ we have a choice.
#976 God’s Word guides us.
#977 Through prayer we are heard.
#978 Change is possible.
#979 God wants us to live in his joy.
#980 Life with God is divine.
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Photo courtesy of Kyle Bloom. This post was refurbished from 2010. Linking up today with Linking up today with What’s on Your Heart Tuesdays, Wordfilled Wednesday, All Things Heart & Home , God-Bumps and God-incidences ,Work in Progress and One Word at a Time: Dab Blog Carnival.
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