Fleeing from Sin; Looking to Christ

"The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it."

Proverbs 22:3

As an aspiring pastor, I am discouraged by the news of infidelity and immoral living on the part of ministers of the gospel, and evangelical ministers at that. The shame that is brought to the name of Christ and the disservice such actions that are made public cause me to pause. I often wonder if I am ready for such an endeavor as I feel weaker than many of these strong men. But it causes me to be thankful that greater is the one who is in me than the one who is in the world. It causes me to consider more effective ways to hide myself from sin and flee from wickedness. And it causes me to desire a greater love for the gospel so that I would value eternal things much more than the temporary pleasures of this world, and so defeat the flesh (Hebrews 11:24-28).

Certainly there is comfort in knowing that God will forgive sins and keep all of of the believing ones who have truly come to the Son until the end (John 6:40). There are those who are not truly saved who falter and never repent, but God keeps his own. However, those who we look up to the most, those who we think will never fall, so often let their guard down and have moments of weakness. David, a man after God's own heart did, and certainly suffered the consequences.

Of course then, I cannot think that I am strong in and of myself. I cannot at any point take off my armor and rest from the battle. My attitude should be one like Paul's: "Therefore let anyone who think that he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12).

As the very next verse indicates, I need not despair when I see sin in my own life and in godly men. "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The sin in other's lives points to my own need for the gospel. I can bring to the table nothing when it comes to salvation. No good work or offering is sufficient to save me (Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ saves me through faith alone (Titus 3:5-7) and Christ alone keeps me (Romans 5:1). Only by the merits of Christ's atoning work on the cross can I have any hope in battling sin (Romans 6:12-14). And only by looking to him as my reward through faith, as Moses and Joseph demonstrated, can I be freed from sin and death finally (Hebrews 11:24-28). This reality frees me to consider sin as satisfying, but as dung compared to the gold of Christ and his presence.

O for a heart to find the gospel afresh time and time again and so persevere to the end (Hebrews 12:1-2).