My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if you do sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who pleases God completely. He is the sacrifice for our sins. He takes away not only our sins but the sins of all the world. (1 John 2:1-2 NLT).

Some people have this notion that to be a Christian means they will suddenly be like Christ, knowing no sin or temptation ever again. Then, when they find themselves uttering hateful words, or involved in ungodly behaviors, they are caught unprepared. Rather than brush the dust off their pants, stand up and repent so they may again walk toward victory, they instead allow themselves to be defeated by continual feelings of guilt, inadequacy, failure and weakness. "Look what I did!" they might say, "If I was a true Christian I would not have fallen."

How untrue this sentiment is because while Christ promises us victory over evil, this does not mean we will never again know adversity, struggle, weakness, or temptation. We are called and encouraged to be perfect, but there is only one perfect being and that is our Heavenly Creator. As John says in our reading this morning, our goal is to not sin. However, when we do fail, we have been given an advocate for our forgiveness and restoration.

Temptation is unavoidable. During his time on earth Jesus Christ, Satan tempted the Son of God. If the adversary tempted Christ, do you think it impossible for him to likewise attempt to seduce you? Of course he will, and that is why we must not only be prepared to defeat evil with goodness by standing up for what is the good and acceptable will of God, but if, God forbid, we should fall, may we also be wise enough to quickly get up.

If we stand and repent, and continue to look back on our sinful past either with fondness or profound guilt, can we truly say our repentance was sincere and complete? If then, our letting go of sin is genuine, then let us fully let go of what God has washed clean, and live the victorious life He has promised us!

Today, if you are still playing the blame-game, and carrying your past-repented of sins upon you like a heavy ball and chain, now is the time to let fully go and be free from the chains which you, not God, have imposed on yourself. Our Lord is not here to condemn, but to save.