There is this word….this word that has become quite unacceptable in many ways. Well, at least when it is personally applied. But yet, we are fine with quickly pointing it out in other people’s lives. And, we enjoy watching it in our favorite drama television show. Interestingly, we find it somewhat attractive. We all are aware it exists. We don’t have to look very far. Flip on the news for a mere instant and you will be made readily aware.
This word is S-I-N.
However, when we peer inside our own lives, we tend to find many sins tolerable. It’s not a big deal. Everyone else is doing it. Surely, God won’t mind. Oh, how the excuses come flying! We just let our sins slip on by.
Often, we may even have a difficult time admitting…admitting that indeed we do sin. Or, we have come up with more acceptable terms, such as “mistake” or “error.” Likewise, we find ourselves readily justifying our behavior, hoping God’s Word doesn’t apply.
The words “mistake” or “mess-up” is more tolerable.
When we read God’s Word, we are given a choice. We will either do what it says or we will turn away. Being quite honest, I know that we don’t always want to do what it says. There are verses in Scripture that become quite challenging and hard.
Love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:31
Forgive as Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them. Matthew 7:12
God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
This past week I prayed this prayer: Lord, please open my eyes to the sin in my life. Let me see my sin from your point of view. Let me tell you something, this is the most dangerous prayer you can pray! A bold prayer. And I challenge you to pray it as well. God is a holy God who cannot stand to be in the presence of sin. But guess what? We all sin! And sin is sin regardless of how we attempt to disguise it.
It has been a struggle for me to see myself for who I am. A sinner. And the things God has revealed to me…the things I considered no big deal…have been difficult to accept as wrong. We pretty our sin up. Convince ourselves that it is okay. But when we ask God to show us the truth, our eyes are opened to who we are. We discover our selfishness, our arrogance, our worries, our fears, our insecurities and so much more.
Taking an honest self-appraisal redirects our attention to God
When we address our sinfulness, we are reminded of our need for a Savior. When we recognize the holiness of God, we see there is no possible way for us to pay penance. We need Jesus every day.
What holds you back from taking an honest self-evaluation? Are you willing to pray the most dangerous prayer you can pray?