Most people do not see themselves as rebellious. Most do not see themselves as sinners. And because of that fact, most would argue that the trials they are experiencing have nothing to do with sin. You cannot justify your sin. You cannot minimalize your sin. All you can do is confess and repent of your sin.
You say: what sin?
I don't rob banks!
I've not murdered anyone!
I go to church!
I sing in the choir!
I teach Sunday school!
I'm "Saved"!
No, I'm not talking to the world, I'm talking to the church!
The sin I'm talking about is the sin hiding in your heart; idolatry, unbelief, adultery, unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, gossip; just to name a few.
“Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’” (Matthew 22:37 NKJV)
Yet, we love everything more than God! That is spiritual adultery! He is a jealous God! He wants all of our love!
We are to have nothing above Him! When we do, those are idols! The things we think the most about are our idols. The things at the center of our storms, are our idols. Those things can be our husbands, our children, our homes, our careers.
He says "fear not", yet most live in fear! Fear is unbelief! When you worry or have fear, you are stating that you do not believe God is big enough to take care of you or those you love.
Holding onto fear is rebellion, you are insisting on control of your life. Trust me, you are not in control! But I know who is, and He's just waiting for you to surrender your life to Him!
““For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV
Unforgiveness is the sin that will not only keep you from a fully surrendered walk, but will also keep you from heaven! When we've been hurt, instead of forgiving the person, we hold onto it; we stuff it down into our heart; we bury it! That's why it still hurts! When we bring it into the light by confession; when we repent of our disobedience of not forgiving; when we choose to forgive that person who hurt us; then God works a miracle and we not only set them free, but we set ourselves free! By obedience we reestablish relationship with our Father, and we know His pleasure!
Years ago, you may have walked the aisle at an invitation and invited Jesus into your heart. You may have over time allowed the cares of the world to draw you away from following Him, in all of your ways. The pains of broken relationships may have taken your eyes off of the One who loves you best. Or you may have become so busy with life that you have not invested your time in the pursuit of Him.
It's time to take stock! It's time to examine your heart! It's time to repent!
God is serious about relationship and you should be too! None of us knows how much longer we have, for the time is short!
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
James 5:16 NKJV
Even so - MARANATHA!
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