do something radical

26 If we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins . . . 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:26-31

The most loving word I can give you today is to tell you straight up that sin is serious. Sin is not a blunder; it's not a weakness. It's not an “oops.” And when we choose to sin, well . . . Hebrews 10:26 gives it to us directly: “If we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins."

Whoa—this is serious.

When we make sin our choice, we cross the line. The idea here is a rational, intentional, willful decision. When I could choose to do right and I choose to do wrong instead—that's deliberate sin.

All of us struggle at times to forgive, but if I choose to nourish hatred in my heart for a person for days . . . or years—that's deliberate sin.

If I know my bent toward a specific sin, like lust or lying or some addiction, and continue to choose it and then cover it up—that's deliberate sin.

If I know I should serve at church and financially give to ministry, but I can't because I'm overbooked or overspent for months—that's deliberate sin.

When my deliberate choice to sin becomes my pattern—I have crossed the line.

Sin will cut a pathway of destruction across your life like a tornado in a Kansas wheat field. I plead with you to deal aggressively with your private and specific sin patterns. Set up parameters for your attitudes and behaviors where you can get some accountability. Insist on change from the inside out. Give your heart to being different.

Don't tolerate sin anymore; don't rationalize it or play around with it or let it go on month after month and year after year. Make a big move and deal radically with that which will only bring devastation to your life. —James MacDonald

seeking: Jesus, how are you working in my heart right now? How have I seen your holiness anew?

responding: Will I heed this warning or will I blow it off? • How will I target the patterns of sin that have become acceptable to me—those I have tolerated for so long? • Which friend can I trust to hold me accountable in my commitment to change?

No one other than you, Lord, knows my heart and sees my sin. Search me and show me and help me to surrender every cherished and private sin to your holy and righteous standard. Give me the courage to deal forcefully with that which would separate me from you.

following: When we make sin our choice, we cross the line.

our journey