RICHinCHRIST wrote:
I think it's important to have a healthy view of our sinfulness, but I know it's also possible to self-condemn and judge ourselves too harshly and fall into despair.
I agree. I think there must be a delecate and profound spiritual balance which follows three truths related to your points:
1. God is righteous, perfect, holy, and love.
Psalm 5:4 "For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You."
Psalm 119:104 "Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way."
Psalm 45:7 "You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions."
In all love, goodness, righteousness, godliness, and holiness, we should sincerely hate sin, which is lawlessness. It corrupts, destroys, and hurts.
However, as you mentioned, I agree that we shouldn't neglect God's promises of hope and condemn ourselves into despairity. There must be a way to condemn the sin in our lives without condemning who we are in Christ... a new creation. I believe a new creation in Christ is not condemnable. There is no sin in Him, so to be in Him rings true with:
"And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." 1 John 3:3
2. God is merciful, full of grace, and love.
Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Titus 3:5 "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit"
3. Ecclesiastes 7:15-18
" In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: a righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness. Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise-- why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool-- why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all [extremes]."
Romans 12:9 "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."
I believe we can avoid extremes, hate our sin, and know God's love for us at the same time.