“God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.” Romans 5:20 NLT
When I was a kid, I spent hours building the tallest block towers I could.
As my towers grew, they began to wobble. Each new block threatened to topple the whole structure until finally, it crashed to the ground. No matter how many times I started over and rebuilt, there was always a point when my tower couldn’t support another block.
Do you ever feel like sin is piling up in your life like wooden blocks on an already wobbly structure?
You lose your patience and snap at someone you love—another block on the tower. A lustful thought captures your imagination—another block on the tower. Your conversation turns to stinging gossip—another block on the tower.
You know God forgives, but for how long? How much sin is too much? When will he grow weary of your failures? Maybe you’re bracing yourself for the moment when his patience runs out and it all comes crashing down.
Let your heart rest in this truth: there is no limit to God’s love. His patience does not run dry, nor is his compassion soured by your sin. When your sin is piling up, God’s Word says his grace is greater. Where sin abounds, his mercy and forgiveness abound even more. More sin, more grace.
Do you struggle to believe that can be true? Does your heart fill with doubts about God’s love for you when you mess up yet again?
If so, look to the cross. When Jesus died, he paid the penalty for all your sins—not just the sins of your past, but your present and future sins too. God knew every mistake you would make before he even made you. He knew how you’d struggle, rebel, and fail. But he still chose to give his Son for you. Your sin doesn’t come as a surprise to God or change his love for you. If you trust in Jesus to save you, God does not hold your sin against you, because Jesus already paid for all of it.
So the next time you sin, do these three things:
- Confess your sin to God and ask for forgiveness. Your sin is great, but his grace is greater.
- Tell a trusted friend about your sin. It doesn’t define you because you’re forgiven, so you are free to be honest. Your friend can pray for you, encourage you, and keep you accountable to grow.
- Remember Jesus. When those feelings of doubt and shame come rushing back, remind your heart that you are forgiven. God’s grace is greater than your sin.
If you know Jesus, your sins don’t pile up like blocks in a tower; they are thrown into the sea of God’s bottomless grace. Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more.
Written by Joanna Kimbrel, Guest Contributor
