Inward Truth

Inward Truth

1 John 1: ⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

 

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On the way to the picnic, a motorcycle tried to pass me on the shoulder while I was making a sudden right turn. I was an inexperienced driver and I has begged for the car. “What will I tell my parents?” was the worry I felt all day. Arriving home, I found some spray paint that could possibly cover the dented area. Maybe they won’t notice.

 

• I was not at fault, yet I was nervous and I tried to protect myself.
• I tried to cover up the problem that was obvious and made the situation worse by using the wrong color.
• I took a deep breath, told the truth and was surprised that my worst fears were not met.

 

John seemed to be addressing insecure hidden sin. This sticky sin can be hidden from people well, especially if practiced over time. He even addressed the sin that allows us to fool ourselves into believing that we are justified in what we are doing.

 

My Observations:

• Sin has a power over me when I hide it or cover it up.
• When I confess my sin, it not only loses its power, but the desire diminishes.
• GOD is the only one who is faithful in the situation where I need my sins forgiven and cleansed.

 

Not seeing there is a problem is the problem. I mean, when I think I do not have a sin problem, I cannot confess that I have a problem and therefore will not make a change that could address the problem. Fooling myself into thinking I am “right” is a huge problem that GOD is willing to fix.

 

HE wants me to humbly come to HIM with the awareness of myself, so I can confess things in my life that need correcting. HE is faithful and just to correct me, heal me and clean me in HIS way and HIS time. I gladly confess my sins to GOD to diminish the power it has over me.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use the words “If we say” twice?
• Have you ever fooled yourself by comparing yourself to someone who is doing “worse” than you?
• Will you take an inward inventory and confess your sins to GOD so HE will cleanse you of all unrighteousness today?

Guilty Decisions

Mark 6: ¹⁴ Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”

¹⁵ Others said, “It is Elijah.”

And others said, “It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.”

¹⁶ But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!” ¹⁷ For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. ¹⁸ Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

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“I wonder if I got away with it?” was my question. I cannot remember which thing I did, but I was definitely guilty. When someone came near me and asked any question I wondered if they knew about that thing I had done. “Why are people looking at me?” was my thought.

• When I am guilty I make guilty decisions.
• When I am guilty I think everyone around me is bringing up my infraction.
• When I am guilty I try to ignore my guilt but the guilt gets louder.

Herod was clearly guilty in many ways. He killed a person who told him of his infraction, now that JESUS was on the scene he thought it was his victim coming back to haunt him.

• GOD wants me to tell others about my sin so others can feel comfortable with telling their sins.
• GOD wants me to have peace and knows I will make mistakes.
• GOD wants me to avoid sin, but knows I can come to HIM even when I do.

Herod mistook JESUS’s arrival. He was so self-centered in his sinful lifestyle that he missed the possibility of grace, same with me. I was trying to hide sins instead of making them known so others could forgive them or even learn from them.

GOD doesn’t want me to have guilty decisions because they lead to more and more shame. HE wants me have peace that only comes form HIM.

• Are you guilty?
• Have you been hiding your sin for a long time?
• Can you be brave enough to confess your sin instead of trying to make others feel guilty?
• Will you accept GOD’s grace today?

C. A. R. Prayer

Daniel 9: ⁴ I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:

“Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁵ we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. ⁶ We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.

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¹¹ All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.

“Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you.

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 ¹⁷ “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. ¹⁸ Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. ¹⁹ Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

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As I pondered this prayer, I noticed something very powerful. Daniel was moved to pray for Jerusalem but did it with a heavy heart. HE did not leave himself out of the prayer. He did not say “Why are those people doing this or those people doing that?” I noticed a structure to his prayer.

• GOD wants me to confess my sins instead of blaming those around me.
• GOD wants me to acknowledge the punishment I deserve and my need for the FORGIVER to do as they wish.
• GOD wants me to request based on HIS holy name.

Confess, Acknowledge, Request (CAR) is a structure that is not manipulative in nature. I Confess I am part of a bigger mess and I need a savior just like everyone else. I acknowledge that I do not deserve favor from GOD, only punishment. I also ask GOD, “What good is it to crush me when I am YOURS and should be used as an example of YOUR grace?”

GOD is gracious enough to hear when I truly confess.

• Are you blaming someone for your problems?
• Do you think you are above sin?
• Can you confess your sins to GOD and acknowledge you deserve to be where you are?
• Will you put your request before GOD stating you are one of HIS and HIS name and example should be shown in you?

It Starts With Reality

Isaiah 59: ²⁰ “The Redeemer will come to Zion,
    to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,”
declares the Lord.

²¹ “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.

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“I don’t know” were the first words I could think of to deflect the wrath of my parents when asked who broke the “insert object.” Spray paint on the dented car was my way of concealing the accident. A friend of mine said these words to himself that made me think about the path that I was on… “I’m lying even when I don’t have to lie, what do I have to gain by that?”

• There were times where I did not want to face consequence.
• There were times where I did not desire to be the blame.
• There were times where I did not want to confess because I might not get my way.

Little did I know that one lie piles on top of another and then another. Soon I was living in a pseudo reality that I cannot remember what the truth looked like. One day I sat at my desk and said “No more lies!” I looked at my resume and took all the false statements of where I wanted to be versus what I had truly accomplished. What do you know, it worked!

• GOD wants me to see that I am a sinner and I need HIS grace.
• GOD wants me to recognize that “I” am the problem, not HIM.
• GOD wants me to understand that I need to own up to my sins and accept HIS consequence in order to grow up and truly have a relationship with HIM.

Little by little I started telling the truth in other areas of my life. Soon I was excelling because I could get help from those who had been in my shoes and faced the same problems or overcome the difficulties I was going through. I found people who were there to help me and I soon realized that GOD was doing the same.

HE wants me to confess my sins to HIM, acknowledging that they are against HIM. GOD forgives me when I acknowledge I need HIM.

• Do you need to be forgiven or are you digging in your heals in your reality?
• Are you growing up or do you still have to be right?
• Can you allow GOD to give you the consequence you deserve so HE can grow you?
• Will you open up your eyes to start seeking HIM again so HE will always be with you?

A Nice Prayer to Start the Day

Psalm 119: ¹⁶⁹ May my cry come before you, Lord;
    give me understanding according to your word.
¹⁷⁰ May my supplication come before you;
    deliver me according to your promise.
¹⁷¹ May my lips overflow with praise,
    for you teach me your decrees.
¹⁷² May my tongue sing of your word,
    for all your commands are righteous.
¹⁷³ May your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have chosen your precepts.
¹⁷⁴ I long for your salvation, Lord,
    and your law gives me delight.
¹⁷⁵ Let me live that I may praise you,
    and may your laws sustain me.
¹⁷⁶ I have strayed like a lost sheep.
    Seek your servant,
    for I have not forgotten your commands.

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What I noticed about this prayer is the person asks for help following GOD. Sometimes people tell me “follow GOD” but it is not always that easy. My sinful heart prevents the easiest tasks listed by GOD and soon I find myself not praising HIM or lifting a finger to grow HIS kingdom. BUT GOD wants me to act differently.

• GOD wants me to ask HIM for understanding of HIS word so I can apply it only to me.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM to accept my prayer for it is arrogant to demand anything of HIM.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM to teach me HIS decrees so I can praise HIM when I get the knowledge.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM to change my stony heart to enable it to accept “all” of GOD’s word.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM for help when I start following HIS path.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM for the abundant life HE promises me so that I can praise HIM.
• GOD wants me to confess to HIM that I go astray daily and I need HIM to seek me for I would not seek HIM.

This is a marvelous prayer and I am glad GOD inspired Taw to write it. 

Wouldn’t it be nice to have all enemies subdued?

Psalm 81: ¹³ “If my people would only listen to me,
    if Israel would only follow my ways,
¹⁴ how quickly I would subdue their enemies
    and turn my hand against their foes!
¹⁵ Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him,
    and their punishment would last forever.
¹⁶ But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
    with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

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Wouldn’t it be great to be free from fear, pain, doubt, lust, deception, misunderstanding, pride, covetousness and more? When I look at the list it actually grows longer the more I read. If I could just be sinless then GOD would subdue my enemies, right? Well, sort of…

• I have heard from many people that life can be lived sinless..
• I have heard from many people that they believe they have dropped all of their sins.
• I have heard from many people who feel they are righteous because they have minimal problems so those who have many problems must be sinners.

What a burden! I mean seeking a god who is ready to drop me at a moment’s notice once I sin! This is very bad news because my thoughts are sinful and I complain to GOD about HIS ways. “I’m really in trouble” I thought to myself. BUT GOD said something very different.

• GOD said to me “MY thoughts are not your thoughts. MY ways are not your ways.”
• GOD said to me “MY grace IS sufficient.”
• GOD said to me “There no one who is righteous, no not one.”
• GOD said to me “Confess your sins to ME and I will be faithful and just to forgive your sins and cleanse you of ALL unrighteousness.”

If I say I am not a sinner I am a liar to myself and to GOD. HE wants me to realize I need HIM daily and there is no humanly escape for sin because I was born a sinner. No matter how righteous I pretend to be, I will never be righteous enough to “please GOD.” What can I do?

GOD wants me to trust HIS plan for me. HE decided to become a human and be blamed for my sins. HE was falsely accused of what I did and sentenced to death. Then, I turned to HIM and blamed HIM for my situation, casting more sins at HIM. HE said “Forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” and HE was right.

GOD wants me to believe HE has the best in mind for me. HE wants me to trust HIS plan and understand the HE was VICTORIOUSLY raised to life and put above everything! HE wants me to believe and trust!

• Do you think you can persuade GOD with your righteousness?
• Can you stop trying so hard to please GOD and simply follow HIS ways because you love HIM?
• Will you drop the pretense of being righteous and tell people about your sin so they will turn to GOD?

Ask for Restoration

Psalm 80: ³ Restore us, O God;
    make your face shine on us,
    that we may be saved.

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“My ideas are better than his” I thought to myself smugly. I locked my desk and firmly grasped my planner (yes people used pen and paper once upon a time). As I polled the department, I could see that I was a shoe in for the next spot. My rival didn’t have a chance so I threw my feet on the boss’s desk, figuratively of course, and acted like I had the job. He gave the job to my rival and I had to “eat crow” for a long, long time.

• It’s not easy to ask for forgiveness especially when I think “I am right.”
• It’s not easy to ask for restoration especially when I have acted in an arrogant fashion.
• It’s not easy to ask for mercy when I clearly do not deserve mercy.

Swallowing pride is a very difficult thing to do for me, but I find it necessary in order to move ahead. I think the reason it is so difficult to swallow pride is because it puts me in a very humble position. BUT GOD wants me to be in that position.

• GOD says to me “Do not think more highly of yourself” so I can remain humble and even keel.
• GOD says to me “Ask and you shall receive” so asking for restoration will be given to me in abundance.
• GOD says to me “Acknowledge GOD” and “Believe in THE SON” and “Confess my wrongs” so I can see and respect HIS authority to say “yes” or “no” to my request for mercy.

I have heard people tell me to “Go to GOD and tell HIM what you want.” That sounds fine, but I believe HE wants me to humble myself and ask HIM for mercy that I should not expect. Mercy is not mercy if I can demand it. GOD wants me to ask for restoration without expecting it. HE is not punishing me rather opening my eyes to HIS wonderful plan.

HIS own Son asked “FATHER, if I don’t have to drink this cup (meaning being blamed for every human’s sin) then let it be so, but not MY will but YOURS.” The plan for JESUS was ultra-difficult, one that no father would want to see for their child. BUT GOD went ahead with the plan and what a victorious plan it was! My request for restoration may not happen in my way nor in my time, BUT GOD has a wonderful plan for me!

• Are you demanding restoration?
• Do you think you deserve to be restored?
• Can you humble yourself and ask GOD for restoration and not expect it?
• Will you follow GOD if HE does not restore you to the place you expect?

Pride doesn’t match the crowd

Psalm 60: ⁵ Save us and help us with your right hand,
    that those you love may be delivered.

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Curiosity got the best of me as I desired to see if my head could fit between the railings on the porch. It was a snug fit and took a bit of squirming but I triumphed! This short lived victory was followed by deep panic. How was I going to get myself out of the predicament? I know, “Cry!”

• Sometimes I get myself in predicaments that require outside help.
• Sometimes I get myself in situations that need others to assist.
• Sometimes I get myself in circumstances that I cannot get myself out of.

As innocent as my thinking may have been, many times I have gotten into predicaments that I needed help. This means that when I cry out for help I should expect a crowd of people to help me. But what if I made enemies or what if I cried out once too often. Will I get help?

• GOD says to me “Cry out to ME and I will save you.”
• GOD says to me “Confess to ME and I will forgive you.”
• GOD says to me “Trust ME and believe in ME and I will give you and abundant life.”

Sometimes I think GOD is not in my corner. I mean I’m the one who chose to get myself in “name the situation.” “HE can’t possibly forgive me this time” is the lie that pops into my head. BUT GOD says different. GOD says “MY grace is sufficient. HE knows the heart is willing but the flesh is weak. JESUS called me a “sheep” and rightfully so.

Sheep have no means to really take care of themselves. They are curious animals who innocently wander off, looking for greener pastures to graze. They constantly need rescuing and forget they got rescued yesterday. JESUS was right in HIS comparison. HE desires that I recognize where salvation comes from, both in eternity and here on earth. GOD delivers me.

• Do you need deliverance?
• Are you in a predicament that you cannot get yourself out of?
• Will you patiently cry to GOD without panicking?
• Will you be able to wait on the LORD for HIS deliverance, HIS way in HIS timing?

Asking for Forgiveness

2 Chronicles 6: ²¹ Hear the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.

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Laughing at the escapades of a friend, the teacher came in and saw what he was doing and immediately grabbed his arm to get his attention (yeah I know, this is back in the day). She said he would have to stay after school fifteen minutes. The laughter stopped but a giggle still remained on my face.

She then turned to me and asked “what’s so funny?” Then the words of devastation came from her mouth “You stay too! And when the time is up I want you to apologize.” Parents knew how long it would take us to get home and if we weren’t there we were questioned. And besides, why do I have to apologize? “I didn’t do anything wrong” I said to myself.

• Many times I don’t see myself as being guilty.
• Many times I rationalize what I’m doing to justify my actions.
• Many times I think I am innocent when I am really guilty.

GOD said “Your righteousness is like filthy rags” and HE is right. My acts of service have sin at the core. Even my prayers come from a sinful perspective because GOD knows I will do the same sin again and again. But there is something amazing that happens with GOD when I communicate to HIM.

• GOD says “All have sinned and have fallen short of MY glory.”
• GOD says “Confess sins. I am faithful and righteous to forgive sins and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.”
• GOD says “I truly love you so put your trust in ME.”

Admitting to GOD that I need HIM instead of being on the path I am on helps me see HIM in a different light. Instead of blaming the ONE I need I have to humbly ask for forgiveness especially when I think I haven’t done anything wrong. The Pharisees never could see they were wrong so they could never confess.

Asking GOD for forgiveness is a privilege. It shows HIM I have nowhere to turn and I trust HIS ways.

• Are you in a quandary?
• Do you feel GOD has forgotten you?
• Can you ask HIM for forgiveness and to open your eyes to a stronger relationship with HIM today?
• Can you stop being defeated, put your feelings behind you and start trusting in GOD?