The Lodestar

Once we accept Jesus as our saviour, the sins of our past lose their power over us. However, sin can still challenge our spiritual journey as it constantly wages to conquer what it has lost.

The Christian life is akin to a marathon, a steady race towards a goal. It's not about being the first to cross the finish line, but about completing the race with endurance. To do so, we must shed the burdens of sin and run with a steady pace, focusing on the finish line.

Sin is not an abstract concept, but the Bible likens it to an animal creeping around to overcome its victims. God warned Cain, "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it" (Gen 4:7).

Imagine a dog on an evening stroll, tugging at your shoes when it wants to go in a different direction. Sin is like that dog, persistently trying to divert us from our path. It's a constant presence, always ready to pull us away from our spiritual journey.

Sins that cling on come in various shapes and sizes. Sometimes, they are sinful thoughts that invade our minds repeatedly. Even though they do not lead to action, sinful thoughts may be enjoyable, but the time we spend on them impedes our spiritual growth and may even divert our path. Victory over them and keeping them away from us helps us run with perseverance towards the goal.

It could be thoughts that lead to lust, covetousness, greed, pride and so on, everything that may take us away from the Lord. If they come repeatedly, one following another, like the waves of the sea lashing on the shore, even when we are unaware, they are "sins that cling on."

Sinful thoughts and acts will also remain until Satan is cast into the eternal fire he is destined to. The fight with sin should continue until then, and we need to continue to "lay them down." Laying down also means "throw off" (NIV), like picking the bugs to crush them under our feet.

Living a holy life is not passive; it requires determined, careful action. It requires being aware of what is refusing to go and being determined to make them leave.