2 Corinthians 7:11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

When we do understand sin and turn from it we find that we change. This is God working in our lives, allowing us to understand just how awful sin is and what damage it does.

That fear of working against God allows us to move away from sin and show others that it can be done.

God changes our hearts so that we want to work with Him and not against Him.

God wants us to live a full life with Him and that means turning away from sin because He cannot abide sin.

Matthew 3:8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance

Do you have a proper sense of what sin is? Do you really know how much damage sin can do?

When we find out the real meaning of sin and accept that we are real sinners we can move forward with Christ under His repentance.

When we start to change our lives and live according to how we should live and not how we want to live, we begin to work with God and not against Him!

When people around us see that we are living according to God’s will and not our own, the Holy Spirit can work with them in their own hearts to show them what forgiveness is all about!

Luke 7:23 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.

Jesus’ own words confirm that He is very pleased with people who will not doubt Him and who continue to not be offended by believing in Him.

Is that hard for you? Are you persecuted for saying Jesus is God? Are you reviled for trusting in Christ?

Christ knew what he was going to have to face, but He also knew that we would be weak if we had to face anything similar.

He still went forward so that we would not have to face all He had to; but we may still find it hard!