This was the first Bible verse I ever memorized.  I must have been in third grade, because that was my first year in a Christian school.  A speaker came to talk to us about something (that I don’t recall) and at the end of his talk he had us repeat this verse over and over.  I’ve never forgotten the verse.

When I was in third grade I would have thought that sin was some specific act that God had prohibited, and that I would always be aware that I had done something wrong. Seemed pretty cut and dry.

As I’ve gotten older my definition of sin has changed.  Now I think of it as anything, good or bad, that I let come between me and God.  When I make something good into something ultimate (thank you Tim Keller) it becomes an idol.  The 10 commandments have something to say about idols.

I know I’m not supposed to covet, or slander or murder-but I’m also supposed to keep God in his rightful place and not replace him with things like exercise, or writing, or a tv show.  God is God-nothing should replace him in our lives.

However, even though I KNOW what I’m supposed to do, or not do-that isn’t always how I behave.  I get caught up in the moment, or lose my focus.  And it can take a second for the wrong words to come out or to make a bad decision.

But I am comforted that God promises to forgive me-if only I seek him.  He is faithful that way.  If I confess to him (and what a relief that can be) he promises that he will forgive us.

Amazing.

And even better-when we seek him he purifies us from ALL unrighteousness.  That means he’s changing us as we seek him-so that I don’t continue to make the same mistakes over and over.

What an awesome God.