Many Christians believe that God can’t use them because of their sin. Somewhere they got the idea that God only uses perfect people to do His work. But the Bible is filled with people who made what many would consider fatal mistakes and were still used by God in powerful ways. And since there has only been one person in history who never sinned, that means that God is still using imperfect people today.
Most people would say that King David’s worst sin was his adulterous affair with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband. Though these sins are not to be taken lightly, David paid a higher price for the sin of pride in 1 Chronicles 21.
Some people are under the delusion that they no longer sin since becoming Christians. 1 John 1 confronts that lie, saying, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” Putting our faith in Christ doesn’t mean that we stop sinning – it means that our sins past, present and future have been paid for in full.
In Jesus’ time, the Pharisees wanted everyone to believe that they exceeded the standards and requirements of the Law that realistically no one could live up to. When Jesus entered the scene, He offended their pride and self-righteousness by leveling the playing field, making a way for even the most vile sinner to come before God. The thief on the cross never lifted a finger for Jesus, yet His faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross justified him fully before the Father.
In Romans 7, the apostle Paul described with honesty and transparency his struggle with sin. He could have left us with the impression that he never sinned after seeing the light on the road to Damascus, but I thank God that he went on to boldly declare there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. It takes humility to receive God’s grace and admit that our righteousness is as filthy rags.
Yet many believers harshly condemn themselves to the point where all they are doing is waiting for the Rapture with crossed fingers. Allowing sin to paralyze you is essentially saying that Christ’s work on the cross was not enough to cover your sin. Yes, you sinned in the past and chances are you will sin again in the future, but stop beating yourself up. The blood of Jesus Christ has covered all of your sins, past, present and future.
Everyone sins. No one is exempt. That is why your loving Father made provision for you through Christ. In Romans 8, Paul exhorts us saying, “…all things work together for good to them that love God…” Do you love God? Then be honest and transparent, allowing Him to use your imperfect life to help someone else out of the pit He brought you out of.
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24