Can the work of recovery be sinful?

I’ve been reading through Romans and was struck by the way Paul concludes his discussion in Romans 14, on not putting a stumbling block before other Christians with what we eat or drink. He finishes with these all encompassing words in verse 23: “everything that does not come from faith is sin”.

It is with these words that I was reminded that even our fight against sin is considered sin, if it is not done from faith. Faith is the foundation we operate from when we pursue righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (v17), and not in our own efforts or in the temporary pleasures of the world. For many, this is an important realisation: our own efforts - just trying harder or praying more fervently, will unlikely bring freedom from lust, pornography or other unwanted sexual behaviours. Rather it is by faith we trust that only when our efforts are fuelled by the energy that Christ works so powerfully in us (Col 1:29), that maturity and growth in Christ will come and sin will be able to be put to death.

It is by faith that the words of James 5:16 are are believed to be a true promise and worth putting into practice, “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” Our fight against sin must be fuelled by faith in the promises of God.

How sweet is this truth: empowered by a mighty Saviour, restoration and lasting change is possible.

Written by Linden Simmons
June 2024