There is a "tragicomedy" in repentance, as well.  The ancient writer, "Fenelon, says that we need to make sure that our sin leads us to repentance, which will lead us into the Father’s loving care.  When people struggle with persistent sin, I’ve found that the deceiver tricks them by being soft on the consequence of their sin before they commit it ("you can always be forgiven") but harsh and unyielding once the deed is done ("now you’re really going to get it!")"  writes Gary Thomas.

He continues, "This is a ruse to pull us away from our heart’s desire.  When you sin, accept the lesson in humility and go to God in weakness.  I’ve found I am rarely ‘stronger’ than when I am newly repentant and receiving God’s consoling forgiveness."

How many of us could add testimony to that last sentence.  When we are considering sin, we are also isolating ourselves from the creator of our soul.  We are tuning him out, but once sin has past, God remains with all of his grace and mercy and for the "broken and contrite heart" he embraces and provides all that we were looking for.  And we wonder why we ever thought otherwise.

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