God's Dimmer Switch

Photo courtesy of reenergizeco.com

Even though we move quite a bit as a military family, my dear husband has faithfully installed a dimmer switch, per my request, in every dining room or entry way we have ever had!  Why?  Well, I just love the soft light a dimmer switch affords when it comes to welcoming guests into our home or enjoying a nice meal in the dining room (I mean, a little candle-level lighting can never hurt when I am tired at the end of the day and am sitting across from my man!)

My love of dimmer switches got me thinking about the Holy Spirit and His role in the life of a believer.  As we continue on with the Lord and become more and more like Him, I often find that at the same time, I am more and more aware of my sin.  My sister and I have recently discussed how God has us on a "short leash" right now!  Both in our 3rd decade of being believers, you would think that our problem with sin would be less, right?  Ahhh...but that is where the dimmer switch comes in.  As we continue in our faith, I believe the Holy Spirit brightens the "dimmer switch" in our hearts little by little.  Suddenly, the "dust" or the "wrinkles" or all the little things that weren't noticeable in the dim light begin to appear.  The sin that seemed insignificant (or non-existent) years ago is suddenly in your face in all its heinous glory.  Seriously?!  And sometimes this process can be discouraging--I mean, shouldn't you become "better" and less sinful the longer you journey with the Lord?

Well, this doesn't seem to be so according to the Scriptures!  The Apostle Paul seems to have undergone this same process, too.  In fact, at the start of his ministry, he describes himself as "the least of the Apostles" (1 Cor 15:9).  However, near the end of his life and ministry he describes himself as "the chief of all sinners" (1 Tim 1:15).  What's the deal?  Did Paul get "worse" the longer he was a Christian?  Heavens no!  But you see, his perspective of his sin--its nature, gravity, and its ill effects in his heart--changed as He became more and more like Christ.  And so it is with us.  While we confess and repent of our sins and grow in increasing conformity to Christ, we will at the same time become more and more aware of our sin and its evil in our souls (which will in turn lead us more and more to Christ in confession and repentance, which will then lead us into more awareness of our sin...well, you get the idea.)  And this cycle is the messy process of sanctification we saints undergo until we are brought home to glory to be forever in the presence of our Lord.

So, the next time you find yourself discouraged by your sin, take heart, dear friend!  See this as a natural progression of the Spirit's work in your heart to make you more like Christ!  But be sure not to stop there--instead, bow your head in repentance to God and confess these sins to Him in increasing measure.  For, as 1 John 1:9 states, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness!