The apostle Paul called himself the “worst of sinners.” I always wondered about that. I mean, this is the Apostle Paul! This is the guy that historically had the largest effect on Christianity, next to Jesus of course. If anyone has ever been CLOSE to God, its the Apostle Paul — yet he calls himself the WORST of sinners. Why?
I think back to 9th grade Biology class. One of my favorite things was working with a microscope in the labs. Maybe I’m a geek – but I still remember the time I looked at a celery cell. The microscope had three different lenses that increased in power. With the first lens, we could see a large group of the individual cells. When we turned up the power to the second lens, we could see three or four cells, and some of the stuff on the inside. When we turned up the power to the highest level, we could see the details of one individual cell. We could see the mitochondria, the lysosome, cell wall, everything (I didn’t even google that stuff, I still remember it!).
When we get close to God, its like we turn up the power on the spiritual microscope and we can see what we couldn’t see before. I think the closer we get to God, the more we see our own sin. This happens to me, but it also explains why the Apostle Paul called himself the WORST of sinners. It wasn’t that he sinned more than anyone else, it was that he could see better. It also indicates his humility.
Do you struggle with your sin? (That’s rhetorical!). My bet is that you say “yes, of course I struggle.” But please press further before simply passing this off as an irrelevant blog post:
Do you truly STRUGGLE with your sin or do you just feel bad about it?
That’s a really introspective question. Go ahead and think about it. No really – think about it. I’m going to wait.
.
.
.
I think most of the Christians in America, especially the Midwest region, just feel bad about their sin – they aren’t struggling – they are not OVERCOMERS. I think most Christians couldn’t make a list of the sins they are struggling with because they’re not struggling at all – they think they have everything under control but they don’t realize they have nothing. It’s not until they are close to God when they will see clearly through a higher powered lens in the spiritual microscope.
That is the description of the Church in Laodecia that is talked about in Revelation 3. The very nature of this sin is that you don’t realize there is even a problem… it’s a “slow and subtle fade” away from your relationship with Christ. It’s self-deception. I encourage you to ask God to show you if you fit into this “lukewarm Christianity” described in Revelation 3. I wrote more about it here.
Really appreciate you sharing this article.Much thanks again. Will read on…
Hello! I could have sworn IÃve been to this blog before but after going through a few of the posts I realized itÃs new to me. Anyways, IÃm certainly pleased I discovered it and IÃll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon everyday. It’s always helpful to read through articles from other authors and practice something from other web sites.
Aw, this was a really good post. Taking the time and actual effort to create a top notch articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I hesitate a lot and never seem to get nearly anything done.
Thank you for your blog post.Thanks Again. Cool.
Hello there! This blog post couldnÃt be written much better! Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I am going to forward this information to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a great read. Thanks for sharing!
Hi! I could have sworn IÃve been to your blog before but after browsing through some of the posts I realized itÃs new to me. Regardless, IÃm certainly pleased I stumbled upon it and IÃll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!
Everyone loves it when people get together and share thoughts. Great site, continue the good work!
Good article. I definitely appreciate this website. Continue the good work!
Good information. Lucky me I came across your blog by accident (stumbleupon). I have book-marked it for later!
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up and the rest of the site is also really good.
Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful post. Many thanks for providing these details.
Wonderful article! We are linking to this great article on our website. Keep up the good writing.
This website was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something that helped me. Thank you!
You need to take part in a contest for one of the finest sites on the web. I most certainly will recommend this website!
Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thanks, However I am having troubles with your RSS. I donÃt know why I am unable to join it. Is there anybody else getting similar RSS issues? Anyone that knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanks!!
There’s definately a great deal to know about this issue. I like all of the points you have made.
When I originally commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I get four emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a means you are able to remove me from that service? Appreciate it!
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up plus the rest of the website is also very good.
I was very pleased to discover this site. I wanted to thank you for ones time just for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoyed every part of it and I have you book-marked to check out new things on your website.
I think this is a real great article.Thanks Again. Really Great.
This is a topic that is near to my heart… Thank you! Exactly where are your contact details though?
This is one awesome blog post.Much thanks again. Cool.
I was able to find good info from your blog articles.
Great, thanks for sharing this blog article.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
I was able to find good information from your blog posts.
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesn’t fail me as much as this particular one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I truly thought you would probably have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something that you could fix if you were not too busy looking for attention.
This page definitely has all of the information I needed concerning this subject and didnÃt know who to ask.
Appreciate you sharing, great blog.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
That is a good tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere. Brief but very precise infoÖ Thank you for sharing this one. A must read article!
I love looking through a post that will make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing for me to comment!
Good web site you have got here.. ItÃs difficult to find high quality writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate people like you! Take care!!
I’m very happy to discover this web site. I need to to thank you for ones time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely really liked every bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new things in your site.
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful article. Many thanks for providing this information.
Your style is so unique compared to other folks I’ve read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this blog.
There is definately a lot to learn about this topic. I really like all of the points you’ve made.
After I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Appreciate it!
When I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Kudos!
This is a good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Simple but very precise informationÖ Thank you for sharing this one. A must read post!
I truly appreciate this article.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.
Say, you got a nice article.Thanks Again. Will read on…
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Thanks for supplying these details.
This is the perfect website for anyone who wishes to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really will need toÖHaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject which has been written about for many years. Great stuff, just wonderful!
I really love your blog.. Great colors & theme. Did you make this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as IÃm attempting to create my own personal blog and want to know where you got this from or what the theme is called. Many thanks!
Great, thanks for sharing this blog article.Much thanks again. Great.
Good day! I simply wish to give you a big thumbs up for the great information you have here on this post. I’ll be returning to your blog for more soon.
Excellent web site you have here.. ItÃs difficult to find good quality writing like yours nowadays. I really appreciate people like you! Take care!!
Very good post.Really thank you! Much obliged.
Everything is very open with a very clear explanation of the challenges. It was truly informative. Your website is useful. Many thanks for sharing!
Good day! I could have sworn IÃve visited this blog before but after going through a few of the articles I realized itÃs new to me. Regardless, IÃm certainly happy I discovered it and IÃll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!