Thursday, May 14, 2009

Coming clean with God

A therapist who graduated 34 years earlier called the University of Oregon and admitted she'd cheated on a final exam. Instead of revoking her degree the University asked her to write an article on integrity. A woman who completed a walk around the world confessed she traveled part-way in a support truck. "I shouldn't be remembered as the first woman to walk round the world when I cheated," she said. How many of us would even have admitted our deception?

The Psalmist said, "When I kept silent about my sin...Your hand was heavy upon me."

Confessing your sins:
(a) Lets us experience God's forgiveness: He already knows about them anyway, but He won't forgive us while we're busy making excuses and blame-shifting. John says, "If we confess...he will forgive our sins" (1Jn 1:9 NCV). The first move is up to us.

(b) Restores our emotional and physical energy: Nothing's more draining than denial and nothing's more invigorating than a clean slate. David said, "My strength...failed because of my iniquity" (Ps 31:10 NAS). Reflecting on his affair with Bathsheba, he said, "When I kept silent... my vitality was drained...I acknowledged my sin...and You forgave the guilt" (Ps 32:3-5 NAS).

(c) Allows us to move on: Confession allows us to hit the "reset" button and start again. It's also important to draw a line between the past and the future in case we're tempted to repeat our behavior.

(d) Lets us grow: Thomas Edison said failure taught him over a thousand ways not to make a light bulb! Making our mistakes work for us instead of against us, starts with confessing them to God and accepting His forgiveness.

God is so gracious and faithful to deal with us, if we just give him the chance. No need to worry or fret, just come clean. Be Blessed...

2 comments:

Jerry said...

I agree, there is nothing more draining than the guilt of sin and nothing more cleansing than a conversation with God and asking for forgiveness. Sin creates seperation and loneliness. Foregiveness brings reconciliation relationship.

Jerry said...

I agree, there is nothing more draining than the guilt of sin and nothing more cleansing than a conversation with God and asking for forgiveness. Sin creates seperation and loneliness. Foregiveness brings reconciliation relationship.