Tonight’s reading was Genesis 15-20. In chapter 20 we learn of Abraham telling King Abimelech that Sarah is his sister. This is something he did regularly. Now, technically…technically…he wasn’t lying. They had the same father but different mothers so it was true. However, he used this truth for his benefit. So that, my friends, is a sin! We know, according to Scripture, he did this more than twice.

Genesis 20:9-13

”Then Abimelech called for Abraham. “What have you done to us?” he demanded. “What crime have I committed that deserves treatment like this, making me and my kingdom guilty of this great sin? No one should ever do what you have done! Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?” Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’ And she really is my sister, for we both have the same father, but different mothers. And I married her. When God called me to leave my father’s home and to travel from place to place, I told her, ‘Do me a favor. Wherever we go, tell the people that I am your brother.’”

Not only did he do this multiple times but he also profited off of it multiple times as well because the men who took Sarah and then found out who she was were so shaken up over what they had almost done to God’s anointed that they gave Abraham, “compensation.”

Genesis 20:14-16

”Then Abimelech took some of his sheep and goats, cattle, and male and female servants, and he presented them to Abraham. He also returned his wife, Sarah, to him. Then Abimelech said, “Look over my land and choose any place where you would like to live.” And he said to Sarah, “Look, I am giving your ‘brother’ 1,000 pieces of silver in the presence of all these witnesses. This is to compensate you for any wrong I may have done to you. This will settle any claim against me, and your reputation is cleared.”

This sin was a continuous sin. Don’t we all have that in our lives? Sin that we keep repeating and keep repenting for? Telling white lies? Watching a tv show or movie that may not always be the best choice. Listening to music that doesn’t honor God?

Folks, we will NEVER be sin free in this world. It just isn’t possible. We all know the phrase, “I’m human.” I couldn’t help looking at her/him…come on! I’m only human! Because we’re human we’ll NEVER be sin free. We will always screw up, always say, act, or behave in ways that are contradictory to our Christian faith. Why? We’re only humans.

We aren’t Jesus Christ. We’re not God the Father. We’re not the Holy Spirit. And ya know what folks? They don’t expect us to be! Jesus expects us to walk with Him, to follow His path, to follow His Father’s commandments, but He knows we’re flawed and always will be until the day comes that He returns again.

If some Christian talks with you and says they don’t sin anymore, please, please, check for their hidden batteries because they’re either robots or not true Christians.

My Bible speaks of men and women who were flawed, who sinned, who made the wrong choices, and were punished for their sins. Nowhere within it does it say someone is without sin. It does say there’s only one who’s without sin and that is Jesus Christ Himself and I know that isn’t me.

So what is your continuous sin? Pray about it, ask Jesus to help you overcome it and then keep praying for what comes next. He’s there, watching over you and loving you.

Sleep well, my friends.