James 2:11: He Who Said, "Do Not Commit Adultery, Also Said, "Do Not Murder."

James 2:11
[11] For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. (ESV)

Many people play games when it comes to sin. They look at the sins that they have not done and ignore the sins they have done. How many times have you heard a person claim to be a good person and follow it up with a claim, "Well, I have never killed anyone." At the same time that person, if they were honest, could list a host of other sins they were guilty of.

I am convinced that one of the evidences of a true child of God is not their willingness to excuse or rationalize sin, but rather their willingness to embrace the sobering reality that their very nature is stained completely with sin. The natural bent of a person who has truly encountered God is still towards rebellion. It is a reality we all have to deal with.

When I think of someone who comes across as one of the most godly people in history I think of the Apostle Paul. Yes, Paul's history before he came to know Christ including persecuting the very church of God. Paul was radically changed by the power of God. He was called to be an apostle. He preached all over the world, performing many miracles. How was his struggle with sin?

Romans 7:21–24
[21] So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. [22] For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, [23] but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. [24] Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? (ESV) 

The struggle is real. Those who truly belong to Christ have given up on this nonsensical game of ignoring their own sins. Rather, they have come to a realization that without the Lord's strength they will continue to be law-breakers. True Christians, like Paul realize that sin is real and deadly. We cannot pat ourselves on the back for sins we have not done. We must seek to kill sin in all of its various forms in our lives. We need the power of God to do that.

Paul responded to his own need mentioned in Romans 7 with these words:  "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" God was Paul's hope in conquering sin. He is yours also!