Lord, why can’t I live one single day in a way that’s perfectly right? I always say something I shouldn’t have said, do something I shouldn’t have done, or neglect to do something I needed to do. I mean, if only I could live a day in which I am selfless enough, patient enough, kind and thoughtful and disciplined enough. Wouldn’t that be awesome? Some days I make it until lunchtime before I make a fatal mistake (sin) that I regret, but most days, I can’t make it that long. If only I didn’t have to live on planet Earth with actual people—I think I might be almost perfect!

I’m kidding, of course. Even if I lived on a deserted island with only the monkeys and crabs as companions, I would still sin. It’s a part of my DNA—a stone-like burden we all carry since the fall of man (that darn Adam…we all know he would have eaten the apple even if Eve hadn’t enticed him). How could I possibly sin if I were on a deserted island all alone? That’s easy. Sin begins in the mind, where even our thoughts can be sinful. The motives of our heart and even our unspoken desires can be sinful, as well. Every sin doesn’t come to fruition. n in a visible action.

So, is there any hope for you and I? The answer is: Absolutely! There was a man sent from God over 2000 years ago who came for the sole purpose of ridding us of our burden of sin. His name is Jesus. He came to earth as a human, taught people about His Father, God, and did many miracles attesting to His deity. He died a horrible and excruciating death on a Roman cross as He bore our sins—yours and mine—so that we could be reconciled to God and have eternal life in heaven. He paid for our sins so that we don’t have to. How can you take hold of that greatest of all gifts? You have only to call on His name in repentance and faith. Here is where you can find out more about how to become a Christian.

When we ask Jesus to come into our life and save us, we are cleansed from our sin—past, present and future—and forgiven. We are no longer responsible for the punishment we deserve, which is, death, torment and separation from God. Instead, we can experience abundant life, peace and an eternity in the presence of God, Himself! Doesn’t that sound amazing?! It’s true!

When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior many years ago, I was freed from sin’s grip and saved from the punishment I deserved, but, that didn’t mean I would never sin again. We are human beings, after all. Hence, we’re not perfect and never will be. Every day we face challenges that prevent us from living a completely perfect life. But as believers, we have the power of the Holy Spirit to call on for help when things get tough. We have Jesus as our North Star which brings us hope, joy and peace. We have fellow Christians strategically placed by God, for encouragement and support. We have tools to help us deal with sin until we are finally and fully perfected, when Jesus returns in glory.

When we are tempted to sin we can ask the Holy Spirit for strength to resist. When God convicts us of sin, we are welcomed to the throne of grace, where forgiveness is freely given.  God loves us unconditionally with an everlasting love. He knows we are not perfect, but He does want us to strive to please Him and to be obedient to His Word.

Right now, as I sit here at my computer, it’s early in the day. I’m thinking: Hey, I’ve done pretty good so far…I haven’t yelled at my husband, cussed, or eaten a whole pan of brownies! Could this be the day I do everything perfectly?! I think not. Unfortunately, I detect some pride in that statement about how good I’ve been! Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 (NKJV)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (NKJV)

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9 (NKJV)

“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 (NKJV)

“This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.” 2 John 1:6 (NKJV)

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”                                              1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)