To Put Sin to Death
Mighty God,
It can be easy to become too casual with my sin. I know grace. I know forgiveness. Sometimes, though, I twist those blessed assurances to rationalize that my sins aren’t really that big a deal since Jesus already paid for them.
This is foolish and dangerous. Forgive me. Don’t allow me to deceive myself into thinking that sin is a minor thing that can be entertained and kept under control. There is a reason you use such strong language and call us to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature. Sin is not to be taken lightly! Strengthen me to take sin seriously, to spot the warning signs ahead of it, and to rebuke it when it entices. Give me the determination not merely to maim sin or injure it, to slow it down or sidestep it, but to kill it completely and put it to death at every opportunity.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.