“Father, I have sinned.” Luke 15:18
For those Christ has washed in His precious blood, it is quite certain they do not need to confess sin, as culprits or criminals, before God the Judge. Christ has forever removed all their sins in a legal sense, so they no longer stand where they can be condemned. They are once and for all accepted in the Beloved. But having become God’s children, shouldn’t they go every day to their heavenly Father and confess their sins? When they do wrong, shouldn’t they acknowledge their improper acts? Nature teaches it is the duty of straying children to confess to their earthly fathers, and the grace of God in our hearts teaches that we, as Christians, owe the same duty to our heavenly Father. We offend Him daily, and we shouldn’t rest without His daily pardon. Suppose that my sins against my Father are not immediately taken to Him to be washed away by the cleansing power of the Lord Jesus—what are the consequences? If I have not sought forgiveness and been washed from these offenses against my Father, I will feel a distance from Him. I will doubt His love toward me. I will tremble at Him and be afraid to pray. I will become like the prodigal, who, though still a child, was far away from his father (see Luke 15:11–32). But if I—with a child’s sorrow at offending such a gracious and loving Parent—go to Him and tell Him everything, if I don’t rest until I realize that I am forgiven, then I will feel a holy love toward my Father. I will go through my Christian career not only as saved, but as someone who enjoys a present peace with God through Jesus Christ my Lord. There is a wide distinction between confessing sin as a culprit, and confessing sin as a child. The Father’s embrace is the place for humble, regretful confessions. We have been cleansed once for all, but our feet still need to be washed from the dirt of our daily walk as children of God. - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening
What do you think about dirt?
It's certainly a part of your life. The most fantastic mansions deal with the truth that dirt will still invade. You can't get away from it. Billions are spent every year on cleaning products and equipment. Billions more are spent in research facilities trying to learn how to get rid of it.
In your Spiritual mirror how does it look? See dirt there today? I know that when I look I certainly am covered every day. That's what interacting with the world does to you. You can sit in what's called a 'clean room'. Fully climate controlled in every respect. Come out of it 8 hours later and still need a shower or a bath.
Sin is no different. It finds you. It's a part of you, thanks to Adam and Eve.
We need daily cleaning. We cannot go through a moment of the day without the need of Jesus to lead the way. Jesus said that apart from Him you can do nothing.
I often ask Jesus, on my way to work, to please be with me and go before me because of that very reason...apart from Him I can do nothing. I don't know how to live life for Him. I know all too well how to live for myself. I have it on the authority of the Word of God...you do too.
I will never pretend to know all that's to be known about walking with Jesus. It's a daily thing. As Blackaby and Dr. Jeremiah pointed out this morning our walk with Jesus is always going to be a daily experience. We were to live one day at a time with Jesus. I wouldn't know how dirty I am each day without Jesus. The self-righteous in this world refuse to look at what the Bible says about sin. According to them it doesn't apply to them. According to the Holy God...oh yes it does.
Every day we need a Spiritual cleaning. What people don't realize is you actually carry enough dirt physically that it can be weighed. The weight of sin is far heavier.
Ignoring it does nothing to help you. The same as physical weight. You might get used to it but you're not living as you could be.
Sin is a trap. It was introduced by way of seduction and has been a snare ever since. Generations of Israelites sacrificed the blood of bulls, rams and sheep. Yet it didn't stop them from sinning. We have forgiveness in Christ but we still sin. We should continue in sin...read Romans. "Shall we continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be!"
But we also need to recognize sin as sin as defined by God, not as defined by people. Not as defined by anyone else but God, through the Bible.
People justify their eating problems.
People justify their smoking problems.
People justify their behavioral problems.
People justify their sexual sins.
People justify their spending problems.
People justify their vanity problems.
Scripture says everyone does right in their own eyes. The problem is God is the Creator. God defines the physical and Spiritual laws of life. Not mankind.
A daily cleaning is a requirement in Spiritual matters. If you leave something on clothing that can ferment what happens? It can spread and cause more problems. It can bring forth diseases. If you insist on wearing that clothing anyway that will inevitably influence your life. Denial will get you nowhere.
You are not here, Christians that is, to live your life and ask God to come along. You read at the beginning of every one of the 4 Gospel accounts, Jesus saying "Come, follow Me" to every Disciple. No where is it in the Gospels is it written "Hi! Mind if I join you?" by Jesus.
Our interactions with a sin cursed world always lead to a need to come to Christ to be washed.
Look at your life. Have you been begging Jesus to follow you in your career, your life, or are you at all following Him?
To pick up on earlier posts...to take up your cross means letting go of what you want because that cross is what Jesus wants to be important to you. You can't use both hands, which is what it takes, to carry your cross, if you are holding onto the world.
When was the last time you lived for Jesus? When was the last time that you asked to be forgiven?
Your career doesn't define you.
Nobody, when we all face Jesus, will be separated by the category of career.
You won't be separated by any distinction other than saved, not saved.
You won't have anyone to stand with you to explain your life to Jesus. It's going to just be you.
Sin is a Spiritual thing that has the weight of eternity on it. Forgiveness from Jesus is the only way to remove it.
Who cares what is done in your life if your life isn't lived for Jesus. Success is as fleeting a thing as the gentle breeze. Feels awesome but once it's run it's course you have to find it again. And again, and again.
In Christ forgiveness allows for a fresh start. A new chapter, a new chance to get it right. To store up treasure in Heaven.
Everyone leaves everything behind when they die, including accolades and achievements. They all leave everything and we all will stand before Him with whom we have to do.
To be forgiven is more than all the wealth of this world. It's only available through Jesus Christ. People may lie to you about forgiveness but Jesus never will. No man on Earth can forgive your sins. No religion can forgive your sins. Only in Christ Jesus is there forgiveness of sins.
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