As an opening item for Advent here on The Electric Gospel, I'll share a heartfelt letter to a friend when he was struggling in a sin. The letter was written by a dear friend of mine, Janet Putz, and I thank her for letting me share it here with a wider audience. We've removed references to the specific temptation so that this letter can speak to any soul in any temptation.
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Walk in
God’s strength
A letter to a friend
by Janet
Putz
Dear friend in Christ,
I
have continued to pray for you since you shared your struggles with me. It
cannot be easy being away on your own. You lost important friends as you moved away. I understand that since you moved, temptations
have become more intense. You left the people who were lifting you up and
pointing you to your Savior, and now it seems as though you are searching for any kind of
comfort you can get. Let me remind you of the greatest comfort we have and what
our loving God did. He sent his one and only Son to give himself for us and
take away all sins--those we have committed in the past, the ones we are doing
now, and all the sins to come.
Repent of your past sins
and the daily temptations and ask God to help you turn away from your sinful
thoughts. Pray for guidance and strength as you go about your new journey. Not
every day will be easy, but you have refrained from stumbling in this sin for a
few months now. Keep that up, live a life pleasing to God. I know you struggle
deeply with the specific temptation you confessed to me. The devil is clever; you have noticed even
some of your coworkers are telling you that behavior you know is wrong is a
natural, all right thing. However, Scripture tells us what God commands,
what he wants for our lives … and when people go against that truth, they are
rebelling against God. They are sinning against God. You have studied God’s Word and know his truths. "You have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 3:15). Be strong in the beliefs you have learned in Christ, and continue to study God's Word.
I know you have felt unloved and even questioned how God could love you if you are going through a situation as difficult as what you now are experiencing. But Christ's apostle tells us, "God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). God is with you always, especially when he allows you to be tested and tempted. He is your light and will lead you out of darkness.
Reconnect with your friends who love and care about you, so that they can help you in your difficulties. Please know I will do what I can for you, but even when you can't reach me or others are busy, you can always turn to our heavenly Father for guidance. Stay strong and strive to live a life of holiness, full of thanks to God.
Turn to God and his Word
for comfort. Jesus promised us, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end
of the age” (Matthew 28:20). God is
always here for us. What he told his
people long ago is a promise we can claim too: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11). Your family and friends care about you, and you are in my prayers every night. But more importantly, God loves and cares about you more than anyone can.
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