Why avoiding sin's consequences isn't the point.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at 9:54AM
Jim Robbins in assumptions that shape us, delight, fear, grace, new heart, sin-avoidance, sin-management

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A family member said to me that he never wanted to find himself in the situation David got into with Bathsheba.  My relative would do all he could to avoid the consequences of sin, rather than risk falling into temptation and it's aftermath.  As we talked, I sensed this was how he lived his life:  "Avoid sin and the judgement that follows." Stay clear of sin's allure because you don't want to pay the piper. 

While there is the command to flee from sin, and to be self-controlled [Which is to say, be "Spirit-led"], I think there's a better alternative to the "stay out of trouble, avoiding the consequences" model: 

God's unhindered affection is a much better reason not to sin than the fear of consequences or judgement is.

Love covers a multitude of sins.

Delight is stronger than judgement:  Affection reassures where fear accuses.

Article originally appeared on author jim robbins (http://www.robbinswritings.com/).
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