"Let's Be Honest About Our Sinfulness"

Too many are not honest about their sinfulness. When wrongs are committed, blame is passed to everyone but the one who sinned. It was the way I was raised, it was my parents fault, they talked me into to and the list goes on and on. We need to stop lying about our sinfulness and be honest! When one can do that, God's greatness and character come into clear focus. Jeremiah proclaimed the evil of people by saying, "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jer. 17:9) The answer: ONLY GOD! (Jer. 17:10) Our heart is the center of our being. It is our workshop that makes every decision and the issues of our lives flow from it. Our deeds are not because we "slipped" but they come from our heart! That why David exclaims, "Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psa. 51:10)

Too many in the church have such a shallow understanding of sin and how it operates within us. Many think church attendance, a few prayers, some daily bible reading and the such will defeat this issue of sin. One cannot help but read Romans 7 and see the depth of the struggle of Paul before he came into Christ and the power of sin over his life. Human efforts, human religion and human theology cannot over ride sin and its power. Paul concluded about his own sinfulness, "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" (Rom. 7:24) He found the answer lies in Jesus Christ alone! (Rom. 7:25)

What's the point? God wants each of us to be honest about our own sinfulness and stop trying to excuse ourselves by explaining our sins away with, "We are only human!" attitudes. Read I John 1:8-10 carefully. There we have God confronting us with our sins. If we do not admit our sinfulness and confess our sinfulness, we make God to be a liar, His word has no place within us and truth does not live in us! God expects us to confess our sins. Confession is an acknowledgement that sin exists. Confession is an open admittedness in the presence of God we have actually sinned and are responsible for our sins. Confession is a recognition that we have grieved God and dishonored His name. Confession is entrusting yourself into the His grace and mercy. Bottom line, confession is equivalent to complete repentance!

One cannot believe in the cleansing power of Jesus Christ unless they believe in confession! If there is nothing to confess, then there is nothing to forgive! If we deny the need to be honest and confess, we must deny the need for Christ's death and atoning sacrifice for our cleansing. Sin still holds us in its grip!

Stop blaming others or God for your sinfulness. Stop blaming others and God for your weaknesses and failures. If God knows our sinfulness and our deceitful hearts (and He does) and still offers us life, forgiveness and a place in His presence, that should bring us great comfort. That is the only way we can fight the good fight and allow God to create within us a new and steadfast heart. God wants a relationship with us but will not override our choices until we are honest about our own sinfulness! It seems too many are fighting hard to stay in their sins rather than confess and forsake their sins to find the embrace and help of Jesus, the only One who defeated sins power. Go ahead, be honest and approach God. People are endless at living miserable, shallow lives rather than embrace their Lord. If you do, joy will be the result. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!!!