Showing posts with label sin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sin. Show all posts
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Serial Stupidity
Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding him like grain with a pestle, you will not remove the folly from him. (Pro 27:22)
In the Bible, being a fool is a moral failing. A fool is one who rejects God’s wisdom and makes evil, self-destructive choices. But, as this verse reveals, the very core of folly is the failure – or refusal – to learn from one’s mistakes. The book of Proverbs teaches us that sin has consequences. When I care so little about myself or others that I will continue to sin regardless of the consequences then I am truly a fool. My first reaction is to say, why would anyone do that? But then I realize I myself do it, over and over again. When I choose the pleasure of the moment I am being the fool. For a moment’s satisfaction I would trade a lifetime of consequences. I am thinking about gluttony here but it is just as true for anger, selfishness, pride or any other sin. Lord, forgive me for my rampant foolishness. Teach me to walk in wisdom. Amen.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Detestable Things
Again and again I sent my servants the prophets, who said, “Do not do this detestable thing that I hate!” (Jer 44:4)
Sometimes I imagine that God delivered his commandments with a sort of clinical detachment. “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal. Let’s see, now where was I? Oh, yes! Do not bear false witness, do not covet.” Not at all! These commandments must have been delivered in a thunderous voice. God hates these things. They are an affront to his very nature. To him they are detestable, and so they should be to me as well. I must look long into his face, meditating on his nature and character, until all sin is detestable to me as well – until my sin is detestable to me. Lord, I want to be like you – to love what you love and hate what you hate. You are good and true and righteous. I love you for who you are. Train me in truth and righteousness, to be pleasing in your sight. Amen.
Sometimes I imagine that God delivered his commandments with a sort of clinical detachment. “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal. Let’s see, now where was I? Oh, yes! Do not bear false witness, do not covet.” Not at all! These commandments must have been delivered in a thunderous voice. God hates these things. They are an affront to his very nature. To him they are detestable, and so they should be to me as well. I must look long into his face, meditating on his nature and character, until all sin is detestable to me as well – until my sin is detestable to me. Lord, I want to be like you – to love what you love and hate what you hate. You are good and true and righteous. I love you for who you are. Train me in truth and righteousness, to be pleasing in your sight. Amen.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Seriousness of Sin
They are godless men, who change the grace of God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ, our only Sovereign and Lord. (Jude 4)
When I’m reading the Bible it’s pretty easy to slip right past a verse like this – condemning an ancient heresy that is so obviously wrong we would never expect to find it in our churches. Jude condemns those who take the grace of God as license to sin, and thus deny the Lordship of Christ. Paul was accused of a similar heresy (Rom 3:7-8 and 6:1-2) when he preached about grace. I have read Romans and I understand that we obey God out of love and willing surrender even when we are no longer under condemnation. So...next verse please!
Not so fast. Am I ever guilty of treating my sin too lightly? Do I ever forget how repugnant it is to God and what it cost him to atone for it? Yes. In the Old Testament it sometimes seems like God was destroying sinners right and left. Why would he do that? He is showing us the seriousness of sin. Jude went on to make the same point in the next verse: “Though you already know this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.” (v5) Even for some seemingly minor infractions the law required a sacrifice to remind the people of the seriousness of sin.
Now I am not under the law but under grace. (Rom 6:14) I do not need to bring a sacrifice but I do need to remember the seriousness of my sin. When I sin, I must remember the cross. The Lord Jesus Christ paid an inestimably high price to buy my salvation. Lord, forgive me for the many times I take my sin lightly. I dismiss it with a quick, casual prayer of repentance, and then I do the same thing again a few hours later. I don’t ever want to take grace as a license to sin. Convict me, and remind me of the gravity of my sin. Remind me of the cross, where you bore my sin in agony and desolation. Remind me of the cross, where you purchased my freedom. Amen.
When I’m reading the Bible it’s pretty easy to slip right past a verse like this – condemning an ancient heresy that is so obviously wrong we would never expect to find it in our churches. Jude condemns those who take the grace of God as license to sin, and thus deny the Lordship of Christ. Paul was accused of a similar heresy (Rom 3:7-8 and 6:1-2) when he preached about grace. I have read Romans and I understand that we obey God out of love and willing surrender even when we are no longer under condemnation. So...next verse please!
Not so fast. Am I ever guilty of treating my sin too lightly? Do I ever forget how repugnant it is to God and what it cost him to atone for it? Yes. In the Old Testament it sometimes seems like God was destroying sinners right and left. Why would he do that? He is showing us the seriousness of sin. Jude went on to make the same point in the next verse: “Though you already know this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.” (v5) Even for some seemingly minor infractions the law required a sacrifice to remind the people of the seriousness of sin.
Now I am not under the law but under grace. (Rom 6:14) I do not need to bring a sacrifice but I do need to remember the seriousness of my sin. When I sin, I must remember the cross. The Lord Jesus Christ paid an inestimably high price to buy my salvation. Lord, forgive me for the many times I take my sin lightly. I dismiss it with a quick, casual prayer of repentance, and then I do the same thing again a few hours later. I don’t ever want to take grace as a license to sin. Convict me, and remind me of the gravity of my sin. Remind me of the cross, where you bore my sin in agony and desolation. Remind me of the cross, where you purchased my freedom. Amen.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Let No Sin Rule
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. (Ps 119:133)
Lord, I know I have often let sin rule over me. It rules me when I heed its lies and I stop my ears to your voice. Direct my steps to a walk of obedience. Your Word shows me the path of righteousness. Thank you for the conviction this verse brings. Thank you today for a glimpse of what my life would be like if I truly lived it for you. Lord, do not abandon me to my foolish ways. Discipline me when I stray and when I repent encourage me to stay the course. A life lived for self is a life utterly wasted. I surrender my life once again. You are my Lord and my God. Your Spirit lives in me and you have given me the power to live according to your Word. Lead and I will follow. Amen.
Lord, I know I have often let sin rule over me. It rules me when I heed its lies and I stop my ears to your voice. Direct my steps to a walk of obedience. Your Word shows me the path of righteousness. Thank you for the conviction this verse brings. Thank you today for a glimpse of what my life would be like if I truly lived it for you. Lord, do not abandon me to my foolish ways. Discipline me when I stray and when I repent encourage me to stay the course. A life lived for self is a life utterly wasted. I surrender my life once again. You are my Lord and my God. Your Spirit lives in me and you have given me the power to live according to your Word. Lead and I will follow. Amen.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Our Advocate
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. (1 Jn 2:1)
God hates sin. It is an offense to him. Sin demands punishment. How comforting then to know that when I sin I have an advocate with the Father! I imagine that when I sin Jesus says, “Father, I have paid the debt for this man’s sin. Do not hold it against him.” Now, it would not do to have just anyone for your advocate before the Father. Our advocate is Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, the Son of God who lived a perfect life and then died for our sins (v2). This is the only basis for his plea to the Father on my behalf. Certainly it is not for any merit of my own. I deserve justice but I receive mercy. How great is God’s love for us! (1 Jn 3:1) Thank you, Lord, for the great gift of your mercy.
God hates sin. It is an offense to him. Sin demands punishment. How comforting then to know that when I sin I have an advocate with the Father! I imagine that when I sin Jesus says, “Father, I have paid the debt for this man’s sin. Do not hold it against him.” Now, it would not do to have just anyone for your advocate before the Father. Our advocate is Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, the Son of God who lived a perfect life and then died for our sins (v2). This is the only basis for his plea to the Father on my behalf. Certainly it is not for any merit of my own. I deserve justice but I receive mercy. How great is God’s love for us! (1 Jn 3:1) Thank you, Lord, for the great gift of your mercy.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Dragnet!
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. (Gal 5:19-21)
The apostles seemed to go in for these long lists of sins. It’s like a dragnet – sweeping up every one of us in one way or another. When we read these lists, though, we seem to focus on the big sins, which is convenient because I don’t commit too many of those. I want to pat myself on the back because I stay away from orgies. But a second look at this list proves that I have little to boast about.
The apostles seemed to go in for these long lists of sins. It’s like a dragnet – sweeping up every one of us in one way or another. When we read these lists, though, we seem to focus on the big sins, which is convenient because I don’t commit too many of those. I want to pat myself on the back because I stay away from orgies. But a second look at this list proves that I have little to boast about.
It seems to me that this list divides rather neatly into three categories: the sensual, the spiritual and the social sins. The sensual sins are: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, drunkenness and orgies. These sins involve abuse of the body. The spiritual sins are idolatry and witchcraft. They involve a direct challenge to the supremacy of God. But the social sins involve disharmony between people. They are hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy. Ah, now here is a list that I cannot so easily absolve myself of! It is remarkable that this is also the longest list. And again, it is remarkable that Paul finds so many synonyms for “conflict”. These are the sins that so easily find their way into the church. While we are congratulating ourselves for avoiding the sensual and spiritual sins, we find our community riven with factions, disagreements and petty jealousies. We’re too spiritual to let them out in the open usually, but they subtly invade our speech. “Can you believe what he said?” “Did you see what she was wearing?”
When we examine ourselves carefully, we find that what Jesus said is true. We often can manage to control our outward appearance and behavior, but it is what's inside a man that makes him unclean. (Mt 15:18-19) And then I take a second look at the sensual and spiritual sins and find that, while I may be keeping my actions clean, I have not always kept my heart clean. Lord, bring conviction when my heart strays from you. Thank you for these verses that remind me how very far I am from your holiness. Teach me to walk in your ways. Amen
When we examine ourselves carefully, we find that what Jesus said is true. We often can manage to control our outward appearance and behavior, but it is what's inside a man that makes him unclean. (Mt 15:18-19) And then I take a second look at the sensual and spiritual sins and find that, while I may be keeping my actions clean, I have not always kept my heart clean. Lord, bring conviction when my heart strays from you. Thank you for these verses that remind me how very far I am from your holiness. Teach me to walk in your ways. Amen
Monday, November 8, 2010
Law vs. Grace
Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu…offered unauthorized fire before the Lord…and they died before the Lord. (Lev 10:1-2)
Aaron and his four sons have not even finished their seven day ordination process when two of them overstep the bounds of their office and are struck dead by fire from the Lord. Later in that same week Moses was angry to discover that Aaron’s other two sons had broken another rule of the new sacrificial system (v16-20). But this time the error was not intentional so they were not punished. These two incidents, taken together, show both the extreme seriousness with which God viewed the laws he gave Moses, and the extreme difficulty of fully abiding by all of them. The Israelites thought that God had given them a means by which they could ensure the operation of God’s grace: "Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them." (Lev 18:5) But God had a different idea, which Paul understood: “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we became conscious of sin.” (Rom 3:20) God’s standard of perfection is far beyond our poor ability to comply. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8) Hallelujah! Thank you, Lord, for the cross!
Aaron and his four sons have not even finished their seven day ordination process when two of them overstep the bounds of their office and are struck dead by fire from the Lord. Later in that same week Moses was angry to discover that Aaron’s other two sons had broken another rule of the new sacrificial system (v16-20). But this time the error was not intentional so they were not punished. These two incidents, taken together, show both the extreme seriousness with which God viewed the laws he gave Moses, and the extreme difficulty of fully abiding by all of them. The Israelites thought that God had given them a means by which they could ensure the operation of God’s grace: "Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them." (Lev 18:5) But God had a different idea, which Paul understood: “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we became conscious of sin.” (Rom 3:20) God’s standard of perfection is far beyond our poor ability to comply. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8) Hallelujah! Thank you, Lord, for the cross!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Out Came This Calf
Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf! (Ex 32:24b)
We like to pretend there is a certain inevitability to our sin. But sin is always a choice. It is comforting in the face of our guilt to think that the laws of nature took over and we were just innocent bystanders. But if we look back at the sequence of events leading up to our sin we will always find a moment of decision. There was a fork in the road and I took the wrong path. After that moment there may have been a sense of inevitability, a feeling of being carried along by forces I could not control. But before that moment I had a choice. I could have walked away. That moment of choice, that way of escape, is always available according to the promises of God (I Cor 10:13). If we look for it we will find it. We have the power to choose because we have the Spirit of God living in our hearts.
Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Rom 7:24-25)
We like to pretend there is a certain inevitability to our sin. But sin is always a choice. It is comforting in the face of our guilt to think that the laws of nature took over and we were just innocent bystanders. But if we look back at the sequence of events leading up to our sin we will always find a moment of decision. There was a fork in the road and I took the wrong path. After that moment there may have been a sense of inevitability, a feeling of being carried along by forces I could not control. But before that moment I had a choice. I could have walked away. That moment of choice, that way of escape, is always available according to the promises of God (I Cor 10:13). If we look for it we will find it. We have the power to choose because we have the Spirit of God living in our hearts.
Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Rom 7:24-25)
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Don't Be a Beast
When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. (Ps 73:21-23)
Sin causes me to break fellowship with God. Harboring a bad attitude interrupts my communion with him. Yet he is always present. I am always in the palm of his hand. This verse paints an interesting image. When I have let sin interfere in my relationship with God, it is as though spiritually I have become blind, deaf and dumb before God. I am still in his presence, but like a brute beast I can neither communicate with him nor even recognize his presence. God is still present. I am still saved. I am still a child of God. The basic facts of my relationship with him haven’t changed. But I have begun to act and think like it has.
When I find myself in that situation I need to wake up! Confess, repent, and remember who I am in Christ. Why should I be so foolish as to break fellowship with the living God?
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Ps 73:25-26)
Sin causes me to break fellowship with God. Harboring a bad attitude interrupts my communion with him. Yet he is always present. I am always in the palm of his hand. This verse paints an interesting image. When I have let sin interfere in my relationship with God, it is as though spiritually I have become blind, deaf and dumb before God. I am still in his presence, but like a brute beast I can neither communicate with him nor even recognize his presence. God is still present. I am still saved. I am still a child of God. The basic facts of my relationship with him haven’t changed. But I have begun to act and think like it has.
When I find myself in that situation I need to wake up! Confess, repent, and remember who I am in Christ. Why should I be so foolish as to break fellowship with the living God?
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Ps 73:25-26)
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Hate Evil
To fear the Lord is to hate evil. (Pro 8:13a)
If we really understand who God is we will hate evil. We should hate it both for the bad consequences that it produces and for the punishment that follows it. It is foolish to provoke the wrath of God and foolish to break his commandments which were given to us for our own good. To “fear God” is to know him and to acknowledge him as Lord. Because he is good we know his commandments are good; to violate them will have bad consequences. Because he is just we know that all evil will be punished. Because we are saved by the blood of Christ we need not fear his judgment, but we still must suffer the natural consequences of sin. Also, because we know Christ we have another reason to obey his commands: because we love him. As Christians we must hate evil – the evil we find in the world and the evil we find in our own lives.
If we really understand who God is we will hate evil. We should hate it both for the bad consequences that it produces and for the punishment that follows it. It is foolish to provoke the wrath of God and foolish to break his commandments which were given to us for our own good. To “fear God” is to know him and to acknowledge him as Lord. Because he is good we know his commandments are good; to violate them will have bad consequences. Because he is just we know that all evil will be punished. Because we are saved by the blood of Christ we need not fear his judgment, but we still must suffer the natural consequences of sin. Also, because we know Christ we have another reason to obey his commands: because we love him. As Christians we must hate evil – the evil we find in the world and the evil we find in our own lives.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Running from the Light
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. (Jn 3:19)
Many people have a bias against believing the Gospel. They are not open to it because to believe the Gospel is to expose their sin and require that they repent. So, because they are attached to their sins, they refuse to believe either that they are wrong or that they are in need of a Savior. Unfortunately, the same condition sometimes afflicts Christians. We, too, are attached to our favorite sins. We will engage in great mental gymnastics to ignore the truth in front of our face. Lord, help me to be honest with myself about the areas that I still need to surrender to you.
Many people have a bias against believing the Gospel. They are not open to it because to believe the Gospel is to expose their sin and require that they repent. So, because they are attached to their sins, they refuse to believe either that they are wrong or that they are in need of a Savior. Unfortunately, the same condition sometimes afflicts Christians. We, too, are attached to our favorite sins. We will engage in great mental gymnastics to ignore the truth in front of our face. Lord, help me to be honest with myself about the areas that I still need to surrender to you.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Consequences of Sin
A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord. (Pr 19:3)
Some of our biggest problems are often of our own making, yet we want to blame the Lord. Our persistent sins, the enemy’s strongholds in our life, are not without consequences. Years of pride, selfishness and idolatry take their toll. Lord, forgive me for the sins I still cling to, and help me experience true victory over them.
Some of our biggest problems are often of our own making, yet we want to blame the Lord. Our persistent sins, the enemy’s strongholds in our life, are not without consequences. Years of pride, selfishness and idolatry take their toll. Lord, forgive me for the sins I still cling to, and help me experience true victory over them.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
A Habit of Mind
Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. (Rom 6:12)
This sentence contains several remarkable thoughts. First, that even in the life of a believer sin might “reign in your mortal body.” Second, that it is my choice whether or not it does so, since Paul exhorts us “Do not let sin reign.” Third, that the evil desires which lead to sin belong not to me, so to speak, but to my “mortal body.” As Paul explains later in Rom 7:16-17, “And if I do what I do not want to do…it is no longer I myself who do it but sin living in me.” That is, as a believer my heart belongs to God and that which is most truly and essentially me yearns to obey him. Nevertheless I yield to fleshly temptations and sin. I believe the battleground between heart and flesh is the mind. Where will I let my thoughts dwell? On Jesus Christ and his righteousness or on the fleeting pleasures of sin? When I sin, the pattern is always that consciously or unconsciously I push God out of my thoughts and let the temptation in. Whether it is worry, pride, anger or gluttony when I am sinning my thoughts are not toward God. As I wrote a couple of weeks ago the key is to cultivate a habit of mind that is focused on him, primarily through reading the Word and praying without ceasing. The habit of sin must be actively displaced by a habit of devotion to God.
This sentence contains several remarkable thoughts. First, that even in the life of a believer sin might “reign in your mortal body.” Second, that it is my choice whether or not it does so, since Paul exhorts us “Do not let sin reign.” Third, that the evil desires which lead to sin belong not to me, so to speak, but to my “mortal body.” As Paul explains later in Rom 7:16-17, “And if I do what I do not want to do…it is no longer I myself who do it but sin living in me.” That is, as a believer my heart belongs to God and that which is most truly and essentially me yearns to obey him. Nevertheless I yield to fleshly temptations and sin. I believe the battleground between heart and flesh is the mind. Where will I let my thoughts dwell? On Jesus Christ and his righteousness or on the fleeting pleasures of sin? When I sin, the pattern is always that consciously or unconsciously I push God out of my thoughts and let the temptation in. Whether it is worry, pride, anger or gluttony when I am sinning my thoughts are not toward God. As I wrote a couple of weeks ago the key is to cultivate a habit of mind that is focused on him, primarily through reading the Word and praying without ceasing. The habit of sin must be actively displaced by a habit of devotion to God.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Prize Fight
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (I Cor 9:27)
In this life our flesh is still unredeemed, and we have a fight on our hands if we want to live for God. The Holy Spirit empowers us to win that battle. The book of Romans shows us how. “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.” (Rom 8:9) Jesus Christ has (past tense) set me free from this body of death. (Rom 7:24-25) “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law but under grace.” (Rom 6:14) I think Romans 6:13 contains the key: “Do not offer the parts of your body to sin…but rather offer yourselves to God.” The key really is to cultivate a closer walk with God through the spiritual disciplines of prayer and the Word, and by forming the habit of mind to turn to him continuously throughout the day. Then when temptation comes we are to instantly turn to him for deliverance. The more I cultivate a heart that is rich toward God the more likely I am to turn to him when I am tempted. It is not simply that I must have strong willpower within myself, but that I must be in communion with God when the temptation comes.
In this life our flesh is still unredeemed, and we have a fight on our hands if we want to live for God. The Holy Spirit empowers us to win that battle. The book of Romans shows us how. “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.” (Rom 8:9) Jesus Christ has (past tense) set me free from this body of death. (Rom 7:24-25) “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law but under grace.” (Rom 6:14) I think Romans 6:13 contains the key: “Do not offer the parts of your body to sin…but rather offer yourselves to God.” The key really is to cultivate a closer walk with God through the spiritual disciplines of prayer and the Word, and by forming the habit of mind to turn to him continuously throughout the day. Then when temptation comes we are to instantly turn to him for deliverance. The more I cultivate a heart that is rich toward God the more likely I am to turn to him when I am tempted. It is not simply that I must have strong willpower within myself, but that I must be in communion with God when the temptation comes.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Razing Canaan
It is not because of your righteousness or integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you…” (Deut 9:5)
Popular critics of the Bible portray the God of the Old Testament as a vicious tribal deity because he ordered the Israelites to conquer Canaan and slaughter all its inhabitants. People think God was cruel to them and unfairly favored the Israelites. But here we see the real story. The Canaanites were destroyed for their great wickedness – child sacrifice, temple prostitution, idol worship, etc. God explicitly tells the Israelites it is not because they deserve it or are holy – they themselves are a “stiff-necked people” who continually rebel against him. They only avoid the fate of Canaan because they acknowledge God as Lord and repent of their rebellion.
Popular critics of the Bible portray the God of the Old Testament as a vicious tribal deity because he ordered the Israelites to conquer Canaan and slaughter all its inhabitants. People think God was cruel to them and unfairly favored the Israelites. But here we see the real story. The Canaanites were destroyed for their great wickedness – child sacrifice, temple prostitution, idol worship, etc. God explicitly tells the Israelites it is not because they deserve it or are holy – they themselves are a “stiff-necked people” who continually rebel against him. They only avoid the fate of Canaan because they acknowledge God as Lord and repent of their rebellion.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sins of Omission
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. (James 4:17)
I am guilty of both sins of commission and sins of omission. Sometimes it seems that the sins of omission are the more difficult. Lord, help me to be bold, determined and steadfast. I want to be your true servant and not a passive observer. Mold me and shape me into a true man of God.
I am guilty of both sins of commission and sins of omission. Sometimes it seems that the sins of omission are the more difficult. Lord, help me to be bold, determined and steadfast. I want to be your true servant and not a passive observer. Mold me and shape me into a true man of God.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Sins of the Fathers
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sins of the fathers to the third and fourth generation. (Ex 34:6-7)
Moses has just returned to the top of Mt. Horeb to get a new set of tablets inscribed with the law, after Aaron and the people had made a golden calf to worship. The Lord came and stood there with him, and here he proclaims himself to Moses. This is God’s description of himself! What does he lead off with? Compassion, grace, patience, love, faithfulness and forgiveness! What a wonderful picture. The psalmist even sings these words back to God in Ps 86:15, “But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” But there is still judgment. Sin must be punished. God speaks of both his love and his justice.
Lord, thank you that you have so clearly declared your compassion, grace, patience and faithfulness. You have declared them by both your words and your deeds, because you cannot be untrue to your nature. Lord Jesus, thank you that you took our sins upon yourself, so that we may abide in your love. Thank you for being so patient and compassionate with me. Lord, I know that the temporal consequences of sin do not disappear when we repent, but I pray your mercy on my sons, that you would spare them from suffering for my mistakes. I want to be just the father they need. I don’t want to pass on to them my own sins, or the sins of my own father. Let the chain stop with me. He made mistakes; I made mistakes. Help me now to overcome them and correct them by the power of your Spirit. Amen.
Moses has just returned to the top of Mt. Horeb to get a new set of tablets inscribed with the law, after Aaron and the people had made a golden calf to worship. The Lord came and stood there with him, and here he proclaims himself to Moses. This is God’s description of himself! What does he lead off with? Compassion, grace, patience, love, faithfulness and forgiveness! What a wonderful picture. The psalmist even sings these words back to God in Ps 86:15, “But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” But there is still judgment. Sin must be punished. God speaks of both his love and his justice.
Lord, thank you that you have so clearly declared your compassion, grace, patience and faithfulness. You have declared them by both your words and your deeds, because you cannot be untrue to your nature. Lord Jesus, thank you that you took our sins upon yourself, so that we may abide in your love. Thank you for being so patient and compassionate with me. Lord, I know that the temporal consequences of sin do not disappear when we repent, but I pray your mercy on my sons, that you would spare them from suffering for my mistakes. I want to be just the father they need. I don’t want to pass on to them my own sins, or the sins of my own father. Let the chain stop with me. He made mistakes; I made mistakes. Help me now to overcome them and correct them by the power of your Spirit. Amen.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Say It Ain't So
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. (Pr 6:16-19)
The Lord must really hate lies. It made the “top seven” list twice! I'd like to think that I never lie, but I know that's not really true. There is the subtle twisting of the truth, the half truth, and the strategic withholding of information. Always the goal is to make myself look a little better in the eyes of others. Lord, forgive me for my deceitfulness and pride.
The Lord must really hate lies. It made the “top seven” list twice! I'd like to think that I never lie, but I know that's not really true. There is the subtle twisting of the truth, the half truth, and the strategic withholding of information. Always the goal is to make myself look a little better in the eyes of others. Lord, forgive me for my deceitfulness and pride.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Look Who's Watching
For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths. (Pr 5:21)
If we could keep this truth firmly in mind it might help dissuade us from sinning. I need to cultivate being in his presence at all times. That means several things at several levels, but one of them is knowing that he is watching all my actions, even hearing all my thoughts. Lord, help me to remember you at all times. When I am tempted, help me remember that you are there, not just as judge, but as the one who both inspires me and empowers me to do your will.
If we could keep this truth firmly in mind it might help dissuade us from sinning. I need to cultivate being in his presence at all times. That means several things at several levels, but one of them is knowing that he is watching all my actions, even hearing all my thoughts. Lord, help me to remember you at all times. When I am tempted, help me remember that you are there, not just as judge, but as the one who both inspires me and empowers me to do your will.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Let Nothing Come Between Us
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. (Ps 66:18)
When I choose sin, when I cling to my sins, when I cherish them more than God and am unwilling to give them up, I am building a wall between myself and God. God wants my heart. He wants to be my first love. When I give my heart to something else, how can he act as if nothing has happened? How would it glorify him to answer the prayers of an unrepentant sinner? Lord, I don’t want anything to come between us. I repent of my sins. I want you, first and most. I love you, Lord.
When I choose sin, when I cling to my sins, when I cherish them more than God and am unwilling to give them up, I am building a wall between myself and God. God wants my heart. He wants to be my first love. When I give my heart to something else, how can he act as if nothing has happened? How would it glorify him to answer the prayers of an unrepentant sinner? Lord, I don’t want anything to come between us. I repent of my sins. I want you, first and most. I love you, Lord.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
