Once again, I was reminded of how crucial it is for a Christian to gather with the saints and listen to the preaching of the Word. Honestly, I cannot say that I have been doing well in my walk with God these past few weeks. I have stumbled many times, gotten back up, only to stumble again.
Like the Psalmist, I can say, “My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see; they are more numerous than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed me.” The inconsistency of my walk before God is shameful. If it were not for His grace, I would have long been consumed by my guilt, left without any comfort or hope of deliverance.
But I praise God for the means of grace He has given to His people. I praise Him for the weekly gathering of the saints, where we sit under the preaching of His Word and are fed by faithful servants who proclaim the truth. It is good for me to be reminded of the things I have forgotten. Knowing a doctrine and living according to that doctrine are two different things. I may know what is true, yet still need to be reminded to live in light of that truth.
It is good to be reminded of who I am in Christ: that I have died to sin and therefore ought to live according to who I am in Him. I have been set free from the slavery of sin, so why should I willingly allow it to rule over me? Sin is no longer my master. Christ is.
It grieves my heart whenever I find myself in another weak season like this. Yet I am comforted by the truth that I am not alone. The battle against sin and the flesh will continue throughout this life, and sometimes it can be discouraging to realize that this struggle will be lifelong. But we ought to take heart, because the One who dwells in us is greater—He is the greatest.
Christ has already overcome sin and death. He is victorious, and we are united to Him. Therefore, there is no reason for us to remain defeated in our battle against sin. We may stumble, but we do not have to remain down. We may fall, but Christ is able to raise His people up again. Our hope is not in the strength or consistency of our own obedience, but in the finished work and unfailing grace of Christ.
Christ has already won. And because we are in Him, our final victory is certain.