sin
I have always wrestled with self-righteousness, the thorn in a good Christian’s heart. I try to do the right thing, and live in a way that represents Jesus well, but there has always been sin lurking in the secret places of my life. Instead of acknowledging it, I dismiss it as weakness or human frailty, in an effort to keep on living a good Christian life. Sadly, the church also has a way of not addressing sin for what it is, rather, we put on a good Christian appearance without confessing sins and bringing darkness to light. We are very good at addressing other people’s sin, but hiding our own has become a way of life.
As I have gotten older, I’ve become almost desperate to get honest with myself, admitting to issues in my heart that I’ve shut down and locked up. God is revealing these things to me, to bring them to the light for healing and redemption. These words hit me hard.
“All things in heaven, earth, around, within, without, condemn me-
the sun which sees my misdeeds,
the cruel accuser who justly charges me,
my sin-soiled conscience,
my private and public life,
my neighbors, myself— all write dark things against me.
I deny them not, frame no excuse, but confess, ‘Father, I have sinned.’”
This is what I am, this is what’s really in my heart. However, I don’t not live as one condemned, although I certainly deserve condemnation. The Lord has shown kindness in bringing me in as His own, and in Him, my sins are forgiven.
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
*The Valley of Vision, page 16
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