Sin is always about self-indulgence! You either give yourself over to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the world, or the pride of life. When lust (self-indulgence) is conceived in you it brings forth sin. Which, in turn brings forth death. Now, that death might not be immediate and eternal death, but something dies.

The Lord is showing me that it is the Divine Romance that suffers from our sin. We get broken off from intimacy and the pleasure of His company. Not because He stands condemning us, but because the weight of sin causes us to turn our backs from the only One who can forgive us.

But Jesus has come and He lives always interceding for us and "speaks to the Father" in our defense. He is saying, "Abba, forgive them for they really don't know what they are doing. And, even if they do, please have mercy on them." And so, the moment we turn from our "self-indulgence, "self- righteousness," "self-pride", the grace from Jesus is poured upon us to repent and to receive again that wonderful fellowship with the Father who loves us. Then, because of Jesus, the Father will not hold us guilty of our sin!

Receive again today the atoning sacrifice for your sin. Receive Jesus' grace to repent - turn away from your "self-indulgence", and turn to receive the Father's love.