As we grow spiritually, our sensitivity to sin increases. What is your
reaction to sin in your life at this point in time? Are you insensitive,
unconcerned, disappointed or uncomfortable? As God makes us aware of sin,
we must be intolerant toward it and be quickly willing to change. We serve
a God who cannot overlook even the smallest sin, therefore we must not
make excuses for ourselves. Are you the type of person that leans toward
self-justification? Such insensitivity can be very self-destructive…
Job 42:6
Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
Ladies, we should be reasonable about our guilt. When you are wrong, admit
it! To abhor something is to hate it extremely. When is the last time
you remember feeling that way about yourself?? The more you adore yourself,
the less you will adore God… His grace would never lead you in the direction
of indifference toward error. Job learned the secret of true repentance
and fell wholly in love with the Lord.
Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them
which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children
together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye
would not!
By this verse we learn that there is nothing that stands between us and
the peace and joy that the Lord has for us but our pride. Our heavenly
Father would gather all sinners close to Himself, but we resist the course
of repentance! In our stubbornness, we resist the refuge God has for our
sin-sick souls and bring misery upon ourselves. Are you certain you are
developing a greater sense of humility before the Lord?
Ezra 10:1
Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting
himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of
Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the
people wept very sore.
Just as in Ezra’s day, I believe we would see revival on a larger scale
if on a smaller scale more of God’s people were of a repentant spirit!
By publicly exercising his sense of guilt before God, Ezra greatly influenced
the whole congregation. One by one those in attendance each began to look
inwardly and examine their own hearts, finally admitting where they too,
had sinned before the Lord. Are you reluctant to deal with your sin openly,
dear lady? Did you ever consider that your public act of repentance might
be just what it takes to encourage another brother or sister in the Lord
to get right with God? How often do you think your pride might have prevented
repentance on a larger scale? What do you plan to do next time God convicts
you of your sin in a public setting – wait till you get home to deal with
it privately?? Many Christians resist the drawing of the Holy Spirit while
under the preaching of the Word of God for fear of what man may think
if they were to repent openly, but not Ezra! Praise the Lord for those
who respond quickly to the conviction of sin the Lord places upon their
hearts, taking the course that would draw them closer inside the loving
arms of God.
Psalm 32:5
I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said,
I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the
iniquity of my sin. Selah.
In closing, it is not self that has the power to justify, it is God alone.
As you and I repent and declare our sins before the Lord, only then are
we justified. By the way, ladies, a feeling of sorrow for our sins is
no substitute for confession! When talking to God, are you in the habit
of stating the facts about your sin or just the feelings? The road to
repentance is lined with truth by taking full responsibility for your
errors. Acknowledge your sins before the Lord and admit your guilt. Don’t
be so reluctant to exhibit that same humility before others when you’ve
been wrong. Come out of hiding - that place where you've been adoring
yourself too long... At all cost, keep yourself from becoming insensitive!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2002 Pamela A. Iannello
