TEST, EXAMINE, CONFESS

 

TEST, EXAMINE, CONFESS

Lam. 3:40-42 Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn again in repentance to the LORD. Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven and say, “We have sinned and rebelled, and you have not forgiven us.” NLT

I suspect that most of us do not do much examining and testing of our ways. Far too many of us do not take an honest look at ourselves to see whether or not we are living and thinking as we should. Admitting sin in us makes us uncomfortable and guilt-ridden so we try not to think about it. Sometimes in an effort to avoid taking an honest look at ourselves, we avoid spending time with the Lord in His Word and in prayer. We fill our time up with a lot of busyness so that we can somehow excuse ourselves from the time we need to listen to what the Lord has to say about us.

Yet, we have no greater need than to be honest with ourselves before God about sin. We will never have peace with God and enjoy the blessings of His life in us until we examine our hearts and minds and repent of our sins. I suspect many of us rest too much in the false security of grace. We think that since Christ has forgiven us we no longer need to be forgiven. We minimize the effect of sin on us and simply don’t bother with taking it to the Lord. We fail to accept the fact that sin damages our capacity to fellowship with God and our ability to let our lights shine in the world.

Put your soul to a test in light of God’s Word. Let the Holy Spirit examine you. Let Him convict you of sin, and then, confess your sins to the Lord. There is mercy and loving grace waiting for you in the arms of Jesus. Be honest; what sins do you need to look at and confess today? God says you have them and to deny it is to call God a liar.