(Un)able to Lose

On the fight against sin and the victory that has been secured.

Photo by Jilbert Ebrahimi on Unsplash

A life changed by Jesus will be bent toward him and away from the pull of sin.

When Jesus saves us, he declares us righteous in an instant and gives us a new path forward.

Even still, what about the tug that all Christians experience?

I want to speak about our relationship with sin.

Sin brings about multiplying destruction. And it never stops begging for more of you.

Mid-Life Longing

I saw a meme one time that suggested when men begin to enter middle-age, they turn to one of a few options to redefine their lives.

Option 1: They become the car guy. Their garage is a long-standing restoration shop that never sees the project across the finish line.

Option 2: They spend all their money and weekends on golf. This is sometimes good for physical fitness, but rarely good for self worth.

Option 3:  They slave over their lawn.

(And apparently, nowadays, pickleball is the fourth option)

Out of these, I find myself increasingly drawn to my grass.

I’m reading blogs about lawn maintenance. Mowing strategies. Nutrients, schedules, top-of-the-line solar-sensor automatic sprinklers.

But here’s the kicker for me: Although I love the look of a freshly mowed yard, I’ve begun to realize, within 2-3 days, that luster fades.

The weeds begin to pop through again—raising their ugly heads above my precious blades of fescue and bermuda.

Even the grass I want to thrive will begin to look ratchet soon after its last touchup.

So I’m left in this never-ending loop of thrill and happiness quickly followed by despair and longing.

Like a Lawn that Demands More

In a similar way, sin promises to satisfy… to satiate our cravings—and it often provides a surge of euphoria. Yet it always leaves us despondent and unsatisfied. It tricks us into coming back for more—one more hit, one more high.

And if we aren’t strengthening our devotion to Jesus, we will let it. We will invite it.

Sin will make many demands of you, but if Jesus has bought your life with his blood, it has no claim. It has no power. It has no hope of victory.

As we find ourselves striving to live in the way of Jesus—we should find ourselves bent on fighting sin, all the while resting in the Savior.

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus’ stance on sin is non-negotiable. If we continue letting sin consume us, we’ve got to question whether or not we have actually submitted to his Lordship.

But if we are found in him, then we shouldn’t operate as if the victory is unsure.

Jesus does not fear our sin, so neither should we.

Unable to Lose

Jesus’ help against sin is more than we need to see victory. In his life and suffering on the cross, Jesus walked the road before us (in perfection) and took on our guilt without deserving it.

The book of Hebrews (4:15) tells us that Jesus has empathized with us in every way—though he never sinned, he literally took our temptation experience and sin disgust and put it on himself (though he himself never sinned).

Not only can we be encouraged by Jesus’ example and declaration of a victory that is ours, but we must also remember that he gave us reinforcements when he sent the Spirit. Even when the battle is the hardest—we have help!

Inside our very being is the indwelling power of God Himself.

Why would the enemy think he stands a chance? And why would we concede an inch?

Jesus expects us to fight. And we should believe He will win.