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Is it difficult for you to admit when you are wrong? How about apologizing for something that you do not feel is your fault? Boy, it is for me. I can remember learning a difficult lesson shortly after being married. My husband explained to me that sorry’s did not have butts. When I questioned that, he said that an apology never had the word “but” on the end. That is when it occurred to me that I did say sorry, but... I always felt the need to justify my actions. After all I would never deliberately hurt someone I loved, but... I think we as humans all too often want to defend our actions instead of taking responsibility for them and simply having an attitude of repentance. Is that what we do with God? When was the last time you really repented to Him? I mean thought about your actions, saw your sin, and asked Him to cleanse you of that sin and help you turn from it. Have you ever seen someone else sinning and asked God to forgive you of that same sin, or have you simply thought to yourself gosh that is awful. Because chances are if you noticed the sin, it is because God gave you eyes to see it. Not everyone has the blessing of recognizing sin. What would happen if we stopped just seeing sin and feeling sad about, but instead began repenting? What if we, like Jesus decided to take on sin and repent for it? Jesus after all took on our sin, when he had none and paid the cost so that we could be free. Could we make a difference in this world by repenting for the sin we see instead of simply judging it? Perhaps when God shows us sin clearly in others, he is calling us to repentance for that sin in our own lives or hearts. More than likely we have either committed that sin or some form of it that perhaps has gone unrepented. I really think the freedom we are missing could be our lack of admitting, accepting, and repenting of our own sin. I want to challenge you to try repentance. When we you see your spouse sinning, repent for them and for yourself. When you see sin in the church, repent on behalf of God’s people and for yourself. When you recognize sin in anyone, repent for them and for yourself. Let’s see what true repentance will really do for us and those God has given us to pray for. I think we can experience new freedom in Christ by simply seeing sin, admitting that we have sinned, asking God to forgive us and help us to turn from that sin. Now I know what you are thinking... But I don’t do that sin... Are you sure? What if you have, but did not even realize it, would it hurt you to repent? Matthew Chapter 5 begins with Jesus saying the beatitudes, but toward the end He speaks of sin and then ends the chapter talking about love. While speaking of the sin of adultery Jesus says, “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” This is just the sin Jesus points out. How many other sins have we committed in our hearts? Leslie
Stephens Prayer: Almighty God, we are sinners. Thank you for showing us the difference between right and wrong. Help us to use that knowledge as a call to repentance. Lord, never let us continue to walk in sin, but help us to slow to anger, quick to repent and eager to forgive others. Amen! Prayer
Tip: Begin your prayers with repentance, and always end your
prayers with thanksgiving.
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