Anxious about sin

Sometimes I can fall into a hole of legalism, which results in me focusing on micromanaging my actions to avoid sin. While this looks good on a paper, in reality I’m an anxious wench, constantly focused on sin.

Don’t try to constantly minimize everything you do, because you’ll not only fail, you’ll condemn yourself for every little thing. Think: is there anything in excess that I do, and how can I cut down on it.

“So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time? Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse points to those who act self righteous, aiming for the appearance of righteousness, and those who embrace evil doing.
This reminds me of what Paul said about the people of Israel.

“But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path. God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said, “I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.””
‭‭Romans‬ ‭9‬:‭31‬-‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Israelites trusted their world to save them, sternly keeping the law of God. Yet, they still stumbled? Because they overlooked the one the law pointed to: Jesus.

“For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The reason the law points to Jesus is because we are unable to keep it. Back in the Old Testament the law was a reflection of Gods perfect character. But the people of God couldn’t keep the law by themselves, as we couldn’t perfectly mimic God’s character. No matter how much you focused on the law, the law could never save you. This is where Christ comes in as our saving grace.

When we focus solely on sin, no matter how much we try to be perfect, we will eventually stumble. Only those who trust in Jesus’ grace, rather than their own perfection, will be able to get back up.

“Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence.” 1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬