You have to own the guilt, if you are yet lost in your sins you cannot say that it is because you were born in sin because you are thus, you cannot blame Satan because you sin, not the promptings of the world, not your flesh, not an internal pressure that keeps welling up inside of you that you cannot stand against. Saved or lost, no matter what the sin is, you are responsible for committing it, it is your fault.
For the saved, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1st Cor. 10:13)
For the lost, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” (Romans 1:20)
You may use this analogy if you like, the closer we are to the Almighty, the brighter His glory, and the darker our sins.
The more that we submit ourselves to the will of the Holy Spirit, the more we begin to see even the most seemingly insignificant of sins as detestable in our eyes, not only those actions of the flesh, but the very thoughts of our mind, and if you are seeking to glorify God, if your life is lived to lift up the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, then you will begin to do one of two things in this area, you will try harder or you will submit more, and I offer you this truth today, both must be done.
We are indeed clay in the potter’s hands, and he can do with us as He pleases, but that is not the way of love, love does not force itself upon anyone, but instead offers itself freely. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
The Almighty expects us to lay down our lives for Him every moment of everyday, but He does not force us to, we must decide if we will accept His love or not. How do we do that? “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) Unless you study the Scriptures, you will not understand the love offered, you will not understand how to return love when love is offered. God is not going to force you to remain unspotted from the world, He is not going to control you so that every thought of yours will be kept captive for Christ, He is not going to transform your mind against your will. You are responsible for every sin you commit, and you are responsible for the life you live for Christ.
Our works show this but works done outside of a love for Him will not be accepted by the Lord, you cannot fool God, he knows the intent of our hearts. The question for you is this, do you? Are you trying to be good enough, are you trying to not offend God because of the possibility of punishments from Him, are the works you perform done solely out of a love for Him who first loved us, or out of an obligation that you believe you must perform to prove that supposed love you say is within you?
There are many who have indeed been saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but who feel a need to adhere to some moral construct, whether it be of man or of the Law, to prove to themselves the love they have for Him. Those who love obey simply because they love Him, no obligation is felt by them, no set of rules are followed to attempt to show that love.
Free will always offers a choice, and always leaves the receiver of it accountable for their actions.
