June 21, 2023 
I shall sin no more!
(The following is an excerpt from the diary of James Smith, written in 1860 when Smith was 58)
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I am weary of myself, ashamed of myself–and often turn with disgust from myself! And yet I find a great deal of self-love, self-esteem, and self-pity working within me! I sometimes get into such a state of confusion, into such misery and wretchedness, that I cry out, “Oh, what a wretched man I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death!” Romans 7:24
I feel that I am too carnal, too much like the generality of professors. I do not follow the Lord fully. I am not wholly set apart for God. But I am ashamed of complaining, I have done so, so often, and it has ended there. I need more life, more savor, more love in my religion; and to be more energetic and self-denying in my ministry. I need, alas, what do I not need? I am only a mere skeleton of a Christian. I can keep up the outward form pretty well, but the power–the power is what I need! I want to be like Jesus. O for a Christ-like spirit, temper, and course of conduct!
I am obliged to renounce self entirely–all that I do, all that I feel, and all that I say, and build on Jesus Christ, and on Him alone. This is very mortifying to poor, proud human nature, but so it must be. The creature must be nothing, that the Savior may be all in all!
How swift-footed is time! Soon, very soon, it will land me on the shores of eternity! Well, to die will be gain. I shall then be with Christ–with Christ forever! Then all my trials will be ended, all my sorrows will cease, and I shall sin no more! If I could but live without sin, I would not care how long I lived. Nothing grieves me like sin–and yet I sin daily. I grieve the loving heart of Jesus, and wound the tender bosom on which I lean. What a pleasant thing perfect holiness will be!
iChristian 
Wow, what an incredibly broken and honest man he was! To be able to put those words down and others read them is not only humbling for him but encouraging for someone like me. I too am grieved by my sin–maybe age does that to a person. I’m sick of my sin and everyone else’s. But God. He alone is my Savior and Rock. But this makes me realize I’m not alone in my feelings. Thanks, Steve.
Amen! Hey Dayle you’re certainly not alone in your feelings…I feel the same way too. I bet he had no idea that his words were going to bless us in our day too?! 🙏 😀
I’m always amazed at how God works to bring together pieces of hope and truth to those who need them when they need them. He’s not stymied by time and space!