An "Aha" Moment

"No sin can be crucified in heart or life, unless it is first pardoned in conscience...if it be not mortified [put to death] in its guilt, it cannot be subdued in its power."  -Robert Haldane, Commentary on Romans

I read that this week in a book I'm reading (Holiness by Grace by Bryan Chapell).  It's something that seems pretty basic, right?  I mean, surely I knew that already, right?  Reading that this week, for me, was an "aha" moment.  Haldane is saying that we can never begin to have victory over a sin struggle in our life unless we are first assured with confidence that the very sin that is so powerful and seems so defeating is completely and totally forgiven and paid for and requires no further payment on our part.  We don't have to "make a little progress" in overcoming that sin before we can fully receive His total grace and acceptance.  What He wants is for us, when we are totally bogged down in the powerful grip of sin, to receive His gift of pardon and mercy as we are.  And it is only then that we will be able to pursue holiness with any success. 

Just wanted to share that in case there are any of you out there like me, who need a fresh reminder of how exactly this is all supposed to work out in our struggles with sin.  Is there a sin or temptation you are battling right now that seems hopeless to overcome?  Step #1 is not to make all kinds of resolutions or "battle plans" for how you can make progress.  Step #1 is to immerse yourself in the truth that, because of Jesus' life and death and resurrection, that sin that you find so heinous and the temptation you find so powerful is not held against you.  Even if you committed it two minutes ago, even if the temptation is bearing down upon you as you read these words, God's heart towards you is one of relentless love because Jesus Christ has already dealt with that sin completely on the cross.  I can tell you from experience that coming to rest in that reality is the ONLY way that you will ever make progress against any sin struggle you face.  Resting in what Christ has done and exulting in your status as His beloved child is THE doorway to growth in holiness.