1 John 1:8-10
If we claim that we’re free of sin,
we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On
the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he
won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and
purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we
out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that
only shows off our ignorance of God.
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
Suppose you plan a little
party at your house, and you invite several people. One of these people
plans a party – for the same date. Rather than say, “I can’t come…it
seems I have scheduled my own party for the same night,” you get a phone
call from this person with a made-up excuse about why they cannot
attend your soirée.
Now you know that this person is having
his/her own party. Several people who are coming to your event have
said, “I can’t stay long…I’ll have to make an appearance at the other
event, as well.” That’s fine…you understood that completely. You’re
not even insulted that you were not invited to the other person’s
party! But this person has told you a bold-faced lie…and you can’t
figure out why…and their dishonesty stings! This is the perfect example
of a case where the truth would be so much better.
I get that we
sometimes want to spare others’ feelings. We make up excuses, rather
than say, “I don’t want to do that,” or “Yes, that skirt makes you look
fat,” or “I’m just not interested in you (or your hobby, or what is
happening in your life…and more). We “play nice” to people we really do
not like – for lot of reasons. Some would even say that this is
hypocritical behavior. I am not advocating that you start saying
hurtful things…or that you become honest to the point of insulting
others. If we will stay attuned to God’s teachings, He will show us how
to offer compassion and grace in our treatment of those we
encounter…and in what we say to them.
It hurts to think someone
would deliberately deceive you…for whatever reason. And when we do this
to God, it hurts Him, too. He is insulted…disappointed…and grieved
when we lie to Him. Claiming that we have it all together…acting as if
we are better than the next guy - and at least compared to him/her,
pretty much sinless – breaks God’s heart. Let’s face it, God knows
better!
God sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. He paid the ultimate
price for them. To say that we are blameless – or superior in any way –
is like saying, “Thanks for sending Jesus to take my sins…but I don’t
need You anymore. I’ve got this now!” It even suggests that we feel
like we really didn’t need God in the first place…or that we used our
salvation as a “ticket to heaven”…and now we’ll handle things ourselves
the rest of the way.
Salvation is not a one-shot deal! Don’t
misunderstand me. I believe that once you accept Jesus as your Savior,
He takes your sins and writes your name in the Lamb’s Book of
Life…assuring you a seat at His table in Heaven for all Eternity. But I
also believe that we have to keep returning to the cross (figuratively)
each and every day. We have to stay close to God…and call on His Holy
Spirit to keep us in check…to guard our thoughts, words, and deeds…and
to restore us when we falter.
Think of our life in Christ like a
delicate china teacup that falls off of the shelf and breaks. The
teacup can be glued back together, but it will be forever fragile.
Tender care will have to be exercised in its use…and there may be some
repeat or additional breakage along the way that must be repaired. So
it is with Jesus. We are broken…sinful. He restores us through His
death on the cross. But we are fragile, vulnerable…and subject to more
sin and breakage that only He can repair. To claim that we are “as good
as new” and able to manage on our own - or that we are better than the
next guy - amounts to lying…and God sees right through this!
The
truth would be so much better. Admitting that we are fragile,
vulnerable human beings who need Jesus each and every day is anything
but shameful. Claiming the blood of Jesus…and acknowledging that we
must be covered in it daily…attests to our faithfulness and dependency
on Him for continual care and maintenance…for grace, mercy and
forgiveness.
While we might not always recognize when someone
lies to us…God always knows! This passage tells us that to lie to God
is to not really know Him…to not fully understand who He is and how He
operates. Where have you lied when the truth would be better…to others –
and to God? Isn’t this the perfect day to “come clean”…to ask God to
forgive you and restore you? Isn’t this the time to seek God’s guidance
in living honestly with others…showing them compassion, grace, and mercy
as you do your best to be truthful with them – but in a loving way?
Where
do you need to admit your sins and shortcomings…and ask God to forgive
you for them? Are you ready to operate in truth and receive the favor
of God upon your life? Will this be the day that you begin?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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