Help for the Soul Beset with Sin

It's amazing to be constantly confronted with my own depravity. The prideful Pharisee in me expects myself to be "better" by now. But just knowing that I know what it is to receive God's grace and forgiveness, and that I have tasted Christ's sweetness and have proven to my soul that He is good, it makes it difficult to confront the fact that I still sin grievously against so great a Savior, so great a Friend.

The following quote from the Prince of Preachers has ministered to my soul on numerous occasions. I pray it's a benefit to you. To that end, read each paragraph slowly, and pause to meditate after each one.

We have a great Savior, dear friends.

Whenever I feel that I have sinned and desire to overcome that sin for the future, the devil at the same time comes to me and whispers, ‘How can you be a pardoned person and accepted with God while you still sin in this way?’

If I listen to this I drop into despondency. And if I continued in that state I should fall into despair and should commit sin more frequently than before.

But God's grace comes in and says to my soul, ‘Thou hast sinned, but did not Christ come to save sinners? Thou art not saved because thou art righteous, for Christ died for the ungodly.’ And my faith says, ‘Though I have sinned, I have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and though I am guilty, yet by grace I am saved and I am a child of God still.’

And what then? Why, the tears begin to flow and I say, ‘How could I ever sin against my God who has been so good to me? Now I will overcome that sin.’ And I get strong to fight with sin through the conviction that I am God's child.

For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
- Psalm 51:16-17 -

But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.
- Romans 5:20, KJV -