I have said a number of times here with my thoughts that I am a sinner. I know it and must do what I can to avoid sin as much as possible, although that will be impossible as noted in the previous sentence, I am a sinner.
I know that there are times when I am unaware of my sin. Think of it from the idea of this analogy, speeding while driving. By and large, I am aware of the speed limits when driving. There are times however that the limit changes and the sign for the change was knocked down and I was unable to see it. There have also bee times when I was distracted by conversation that I completely missed the change or posted limit for speed. Yes, in those times, I am still responsible for the action of breaking the law. Just because I was “unaware” that does not grant me a pass with regard to keeping the law of driving.
Now, let me look at sin. There are times that I am unaware of the sin I am committing. Whether it be due to the sign being knocked down, or my being distracted, there are times that I will sin against God unaware at the time. It is later that I realize that I have sinned, when it is pointed out. It is when I am aware that the sin is made visible to me. Just like speeding, the fact that I was unaware does not mean I am not responsible for the sin.
“8But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead.” – Romans 7:8 (ESV)
Paul writes that he was not aware of his covetousness until it was pointed out as such. Adam and Eve where without sin until they ate fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Once they ate of the fruit, they were made aware of their sin and it became a burden unto them. In my life the burden of sin is there once it is made aware to me. I am still responsible to doing good in the name of the Lord, and should repent for all of my sin. There are times when I will not be fully aware of my sin and for those times my repentance is for those sins in general and that God would make me aware so that I have the opportunity to avoid.
Satan is going to take every opportunity to separate me from God. Those opportunities are when I will sin. It is my responsibility to repent for those sins and ask that God present them to me so that I will have the chance to avoid them going forward. I should do my work for God and He will provide the protection against the sins that Satan will present to me. I am responsible for knowing of Satan’s plans and know and take those, and all opportunities to do for God and bring glory to Him.
When have you been presented with actions that may not have been in line with bringing glory to God? Are you even knowing that you have sinned? What if you were to be aware and take every opportunity to repent and know so that you are able to avoid those sins and bring glory to God?
Trevor's Thoughts 